Abstract
Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is a modern multivariate analysis technique with a demonstrated ability to estimate theoretically established cause-effect relationship models. This technique has been increasingly adopted in construction management research over the last two decades. Accordingly, a critical review of studies adopting PLS-SEM appears to be a timely and valuable endeavor. This paper offers a critical review of 139 articles that applied PLS-SEM from 2002 to 2019. Results show that the misuse of PLS-SEM can be avoided. Critical issues related to the application of PLS-SEM, research design, model development, and model evaluation are discussed in detail. This paper is the first to highlight the use and misuse of PLS-SEM in the construction management area and provides recommendations to facilitate the future application of PLS-SEM in this field.
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Zeng, N., Liu, Y., Gong, P. et al. Do right PLS and do PLS right: A critical review of the application of PLS-SEM in construction management research. Front. Eng. Manag. 8, 356–369 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42524-021-0153-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42524-021-0153-5