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Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research

Joe F. Hair Jr (Department of Marketing & Professional Sales, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA)
Marko Sarstedt (Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany and University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia)
Lucas Hopkins (Middle Georgia State College, Macon, Georgia, USA)
Volker G. Kuppelwieser (NEOMA Business School, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France)

European Business Review

ISSN: 0955-534X

Article publication date: 4 March 2014

43061

Abstract

Purpose

The authors aim to present partial least squares (PLS) as an evolving approach to structural equation modeling (SEM), highlight its advantages and limitations and provide an overview of recent research on the method across various fields.

Design/methodology/approach

In this review article, the authors merge literatures from the marketing, management, and management information systems fields to present the state-of-the art of PLS-SEM research. Furthermore, the authors meta-analyze recent review studies to shed light on popular reasons for PLS-SEM usage.

Findings

PLS-SEM has experienced increasing dissemination in a variety of fields in recent years with nonnormal data, small sample sizes and the use of formative indicators being the most prominent reasons for its application. Recent methodological research has extended PLS-SEM's methodological toolbox to accommodate more complex model structures or handle data inadequacies such as heterogeneity.

Research limitations/implications

While research on the PLS-SEM method has gained momentum during the last decade, there are ample research opportunities on subjects such as mediation or multigroup analysis, which warrant further attention.

Originality/value

This article provides an introduction to PLS-SEM for researchers that have not yet been exposed to the method. The article is the first to meta-analyze reasons for PLS-SEM usage across the marketing, management, and management information systems fields. The cross-disciplinary review of recent research on the PLS-SEM method also makes this article useful for researchers interested in advanced concepts.

Keywords

Citation

F. Hair Jr, J., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L. and G. Kuppelwieser, V. (2014), "Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research", European Business Review, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 106-121. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-10-2013-0128

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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