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Conceptualizing models using multidimensional constructs: a review and guidelines for their use

  • Research Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Information Systems

Abstract

While information on multidimensional constructs and empirical methods has become more accessible, there remain substantial challenges to theorizing about their form and implications. There are at least two ostensible reasons for such difficulties. First is the issue of terminology; many different terms are currently used to represent the same structural concept, and there is no evidence of standardization taking place around a single set of terms. Second, many studies do not clearly explain the theoretical reasons for choosing the specific multidimensional form of their constructs. To address these deficiencies, we use concepts from the research methods literature, and illustrations from the information systems (IS) literature, to review definitions and issues related to conceptualizing and operationalizing structural models that include multidimensional constructs. Such advice is necessary if we are going to develop and test increasingly sophisticated theoretical models in IS research. We also offer guidelines about how to conceptualize specific forms of multidimensional constructs. By lending greater conceptual clarity to the literature, we believe that this paper provides a foundation for future research incorporating multidimensional constructs in empirical analysis.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions that greatly improved the paper. In particular, the review panel helped us to better articulate the parallels between types of fit discussed in the fit literature and types of multidimensional constructs. In addition, a member of the review panel was instrumental in pointing out that in instances where one or more dimensions of a multidimensional construct have only one indicator, one can use the same estimation techniques as used for estimating formative or reflective constructs. Technologies, social network analysis, and cross-cultural issues.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Management, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, U.S.A.

    Greta L Polites

  2. Johnson College of Business and Economics, University of South Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, SC, U.S.A.

    Nicholas Roberts

  3. Department of Management, College of Business and Behavioral Science, Clemson University, Clemson, U.S.A.

    Jason Thatcher

Authors
  1. Greta L Polites
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  2. Nicholas Roberts
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  3. Jason Thatcher
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason Thatcher.

Additional information

Correction

In Figures 3 and 4 items were incorrectly represented as lambda (λ) instead of gamma (γ). This has been corrected in this final version.

Appendices

Appendix A

IS literature review search terms

The initial search term list was compiled based on common terms used in the literature on multidimensional constructs. As the literature review was being carried out, additional terms were discovered and added to the list.

General terms used for discussing multidimensional constructs (listed alphabetically):

  • aggregate construct/aggregate model

  • dimensions/dimensionality

  • disaggregate/disaggregated

  • fourth-order/fourth order

  • hierarchical construct

  • molar

  • molecular

  • multidimensional/multi-dimensional

  • second-order/second order

  • subconstruct

  • superordinate construct

  • third-order/third order

Terms used specifically for discussing profile constructs (listed alphabetically):

  • profile construct

  • profiles

  • typology

Terms used specifically for discussing ‘fit’ constructs (listed alphabetically):

  • alignment

  • congruence

  • difference score

  • fit construct

  • polynomial regression

Appendix B

IS literature review summarized results

Tables B1, B2, B3 and B4

Table B1 Published articles incorporating multidimensional constructs
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Table B2 Breakdown of published articles by type of multidimensional construct
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Table B3 Breakdown of published articles by statistical tool used
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Table B4 Statistical tools used for two most common construct forms
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Appendix C

Table C1

Table C1 Alternative terms used for superordinate and aggregate constructs
Full size table

Appendix D

Articles identified in the literature review

AGARWAL R and KARAHANNA E (2000) Time flies when you’re having fun: cognitive absorption and beliefs about information technology usage. MIS Quarterly 24(4), 665–694.

AGARWAL R and VENKATESH V (2002) Assessing a firm's web presence: a heuristic evaluation procedure for the measurement of usability. Information Systems Research 13(2), 168–186.

ANGST CM and AGARWAL R (2009) Adoption of electronic health records in the presence of privacy concerns: the elaboration likelihood model and individual persuasion. MIS Quarterly 33(2), 339–370.

AU N, NGAI EWT and CHENG TCE (2008) Extending the understanding of end user information systems satisfaction formation: an equitable needs fulfillment model approach. MIS Quarterly 32(1), 43–66.

BANKER RD, BARDHAN IR, CHANG HH and LIN S (2006) Plant information systems, manufacturing capabilities, and plant performance. MIS Quarterly 30(2), 315–337.

BARKI H and HARTWICK J (2001) Interpersonal conflict and its management in information system development. MIS Quarterly 25(2), 195–228.

BARKI H, TITAH R and BOFFO C (2007) Information system use-related activity: an expanded behavioral conceptualization of individual-level information system use. Information Systems Research 18(2), 173–192.

BARUA A, KONANA P, WHINSTON AB and YIN F (2004) An empirical investigation of net-enabled business value. MIS Quarterly 28(4), 585–620.

BASSELLIER G and BENBASAT I (2004) Business competence of information technology professionals: conceptual development and influence on it-business partnerships. MIS Quarterly 28(4), 673–694.

BASSELLIER G, BENBASAT I and REICH BH (2003) The influence of business managers’ it competence on championing it. Information Systems Research 14(4), 317–336.

BELANGER F, COLLINS RW and CHENEY PH (2001) Technology requirements and work group communication for telecommuters. Information Systems Research 12(2), 155–176.

BOCK GW, ZMUD RW, KIM YG and LEE JN (2005) Behavioral intention formation in knowledge sharing: examining the roles of extrinsic motivators, social-psychological forces, and organizational climate. MIS Quarterly 29(1), 87–111.

BRADLEY RV, PRIDMORE JL and BYRD TA (2006) Information systems success in the context of different corporate cultural types: an empirical investigation. Journal of Management Information Systems 23(2), 267–294.

BURTON-JONES A and STRAUB DW (2006) Reconceptualizing system usage: an approach and empirical test. Information Systems Research 17(3), 228–246.

BYRD TA and TURNER DE (2000) Measuring the flexibility of information technology infrastructure: exploratory analysis of a construct. Journal of Management Information Systems 17(1), 167–208.

CENFETELLI RT, BENBASAT I and AL-NATOUR S (2008) Addressing the what and how of online services: positioning supporting-services functionality and service quality for business-to-consumer success. Information Systems Research 19(2), 161–181.

CHATTERJEE D, GREWAL R and SAMBAMURTHY V (2002) Shaping up for e-commerce: institutional enablers of the organizational assimilation of web technologies. MIS Quarterly 26(2), 65–89.

CHOUDHURY V and KARAHANNA E (2008) The relative advantage of electronic channels: a multidimensional view. MIS Quarterly 32(1), 179–200.

CHWELOS P, BENBASAT I and DEXTERAS (2001) Research report: empirical test of an EDI adoption model. Information Systems Research 12(3), 304–321.

DEVARAJ S, FAN M and KOHLI R (2002) Antecedents of b2c channel satisfaction and preference: validating e-commerce metrics. Information Systems Research 13(3), 316–333.

DOLL WJ, DENG XD, RAGHUNATHAN TS, TORKZADEH G and XIA WD (2004) The meaning and measurement of user satisfaction: a multigroup invariance analysis of the end-user computing satisfaction instrument. Journal of Management Information Systems 21(1), 227–262.

FERRATT TW, AGARWAL R, BROWN CV and MOORE JE (2005) It human resource management configurations and it turnover: theoretical synthesis and empirical analysis. Information Systems Research 16(3), 237–255.

GOLD AH, MALHOTRA A and SEGARS AH (2001) Knowledge management: an organizational capabilities perspective. Journal of Management Information Systems 18(1), 185–214.

GOO J, KISHORE R, RAO HR and NAM K (2009) The role of service level agreements in relational management of information technology outsourcing: an empirical study. MIS Quarterly 33(1), 119–145.

GOODE S and GREGOR S (2009) Rethinking organisational size in is research: meaning, measurement and redevelopment. European Journal of Information Systems 18(1), 4–25.

JIANG JJ, KLEIN G and CARR CL (2002) Measuring information system service quality: SERVQUAL from the other side. MIS Quarterly 26(2), 145–166.

JUNGLAS IA, JOHNSON NA and SPITZMULLER C (2008) Personality traits and concern for privacy: an empirical study in the context of location-based services. European Journal of Information Systems 17(4), 387–402.

KARAHANNA E, AGARWAL R and ANGST CM (2006) Reconceptualizing compatibility beliefs in technology acceptance research. MIS Quarterly 30(4), 781–804.

KETTINGER WJ and LEE CC (2005) Zones of tolerance: alternative scales for measuring information systems service quality. MIS Quarterly 29(4), 607–623.

LEE G and XIA WD (2005) The ability of information systems development project teams to respond to business and technology changes: a study of flexibility measures. European Journal of Information Systems 14(1), 75–92.

LEE JN, MIRANDA SM and KIM YM (2004) It outsourcing strategies: universalistic, contingency, and configurational explanations of success. Information Systems Research 15(2), 110–131.

MALHOTRA A, GOSAIN S and EL SAWY OA (2005) Absorptive capacity configurations in supply chains: gearing for partner-enabled market knowledge creation. MIS Quarterly 29(1), 145–187.

MALHOTRA NK, KIM SS and AGARWAL J (2004) Internet users’ information privacy concerns (IUIPC): the construct, the scale, and a causal model. Information Systems Research 15(4), 336–355.

MCELROY JC, HENDRICKSON AR, TOWNSEND AM and DEMARIE SM (2007) Dispositional factors in internet use: personality versus cognitive style. MIS Quarterly 31(4), 809–820.

MCKINNEY V, YOON K and ZAHEDI F (2002) The measurement of web-customer satisfaction: an expectation and disconfirmation approach. Information Systems Research 13(3), 296–315.

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Polites, G., Roberts, N. & Thatcher, J. Conceptualizing models using multidimensional constructs: a review and guidelines for their use. Eur J Inf Syst 21, 22–48 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2011.10

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