Using Mokken scale analysis to develop unidimensional scales

This paper describes Mokken scale analysis as a method for assessing the unidimensionality of a set of items. As a nonparametric stochastic version of Guttman scale analysis, the Mokken model provides a useful starting point in scale construction since it does not impose severe restrictions on the functional form of the item trace lines. It requires only that the item trace lines are monotonically increasing and that they do not cross. After describing the Mokken method, we illustrate it by analyzing six abortion items from the 1975–1984 NORC General Social Surveys. In contrast to earlier parametric analyses of these items (regular and probit factor analyses), we find that these items form a single dimension. We argue that the two-dimension solution of these earlier analyses is an artifact of the differences in the difficulty of the items.     

Idiosyncratic deals and work‐to‐family conflict and enrichment: The mediating roles of fit perceptions and efficacy beliefs

Idiosyncratic deals (i‐deals), which involve personalised work arrangements negotiated between employees and their managers, offer a promising approach to accommodating the demands of a diverse workforce. In contrast with the traditional social exchange theory perspective, we integrate the theories of person–environment fit and self‐efficacy to examine the effect of flexibility i‐deals on both work‐to‐family conflict and enrichment. We specifically consider two mediating mechanisms: needs–supplies (N‐S) fit and family‐role efficacy. Results from two Chinese samples reveal that supervisor‐rated flexibility i‐deals relate positively with employees' family‐role efficacy and N‐S fit. These, in turn, relate to work‐to‐family conflict negatively and to work‐to‐family enrichment positively. Monte Carlo bootstrapping analyses confirm the indirect effects of N‐S fit and family‐role efficacy. By using an alternative theoretical perspective, we add to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the i‐deals effect. This study expands existing i‐deals research to an empirically underrepresented area: work–family enrichment. Our findings also confirm the work–family benefits of i‐deals and strengthen managers' confidence regarding the merits of implementing i‐deals in the workplace.     

Who is fit to serve? Person–job/organization fit,emotional labor,and customer service performance

This study investigates person–job (P–J) fit and person–organization (P–O) fit perceptions and relates these perceptions to employees' emotional labor and customer service performance. Data from a two‐point, time‐lagged study of 263 employees and 690 customers reveal that both P–J and P–O fit relate positively to deep acting and negatively to surface acting, in accordance with an emotional labor perspective. In addition, P–J and P–O fit are jointly associated with emotional labor, such that the positive link between P–J fit and deep acting is stronger, and the negative link between P–J fit and surface acting is weaker when P–O fit is high. Emotional labor partially mediates the interactive effects of P–J and P–O fit on service interaction quality and customer satisfaction; service interaction quality relates positively to customer satisfaction. These findings have multiple theoretical and practical implications.     

Factor analysis of the Big Five Questionnaire using polychoric correlations in children

Although the Big Five Questionnaire for children (BFQ-C) (C. Barbaranelli et al., Manuale del BFQ-C. Big Five Questionnaire Children, O.S. Organizazioni, Firenze, 1998) is an ordinal scale, its dimensionality has often been studied using factor analysis with Pearson correlations. In contrast, the present study takes this ordinal metric into account and examines the dimensionality of the scale using factor analysis based on a matrix of polychoric correlations. The sample comprised 852 subjects (40.90% boys and 59.10% girls). As in previous studies the results obtained through exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor structure (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional instability and openness). However, the results of the confirmatory factor analysis were consistent with both a four and five-factor structure, the former showing a slightly better fit and adequate theoretical interpretation. These data confirm the need for further research as to whether the factor ‘Openness’ should be maintained as an independent factor (five-factor model), or whether it would be best to omit it and distribute its items among the factors ‘Extraversion’ and ‘Conscientiousness’ (four-factor model).     

Some results on analytic optimal control solution of a simple rational expectations model

In this note, we correct a technical error in a well-known stabilization analysis in the context of a simple macroeconomic model, formulated as an optimal control problem. This error originated in a slip in an unpublished but widely circulated paper by D.A. Livesey, suggesting a procedure for obtaining a solution to a class of optimal control problems frequently encountered in a stabilization literature. We then propose an ad hoc solution method which makes clear the intuition of the solution to the particular model to which the Livesey method was applied, and of the larger class of models to which it belongs. Our solution is so formulated that the contrast between it and the Livesey result is made transparent.     

Response Effects in Surveys on Children and Adolescents: The Effect of Number of Response Options,Negative Wording,and Neutral Mid-Point

Social researchers increasingly survey children and young adolescents.They are convinced that information about perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors of childrenshould be collected from the children themselves. Methodological expertise on surveying childrenis still scarce, and researchers rely on ad-hoc knowledge from fields such as child psychiatry and educationaltesting, or on methodological knowledge on surveying adults. Regarding adults, empirical evidenceshows that respondent characteristics (cognitive abilities) as well asquestion characteristics (question difficulty) affect response quality.This study reports on a methodological survey experiment on theeffect of negatively formulated questions, the number of response options and offeringa neutral midpoint as response option question characteristics on the reliability of theresponses, using children and young adolescents as respondents.The study shows no effects of negatively formulated questions onthe reliability measures, although children respond consistently differently on negativelyformulated questions than on positively formulated questions. Taking all results on the effectsof number of response options and offering a neutral midpoints on the different reliabilitymeasures into consideration; it would appear that offering about four responseoptions is optimal with children as respondents.     

Cognitive interviewing and factor-analytic techniques: a mixed method approach to validity of survey items measuring national identity

This paper explores the possibilities of method triangulation between two methodological approaches for assessing the validity performance of survey items: cognitive interviewing and factor analytic techniques. Although their means of approaching validity differ, both methods attempt to prove whether a measure corresponds to a theoretical (latent) concept (e.g. patriotism vs. nationalism), thus both are concerned with the question, whether an indicator measures what it is supposed to measure. Based on two representative samples for Austria [data gathered within the framework of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) on National Identity in 1995 and 2003] and 18 cognitive interviews conducted between 2003 and 2005, the paper shows the considerable advantages of using a multi-method approach for ensuring the quality of survey items. On the one hand, we apply exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in order to identify poorly performing indicators with regard to validity and reliability. On the other hand, the analysis of the cognitive interviews reveals the substantial sources of response error. Results show that to a large extent, respondents do not understand the items that have been defined to measure national identification and related concepts in Austria the way intended by the drafting group of this ISSP Module, a fact that has considerable implications on the scales’ predictive power.     

工作重塑与员工幸福感的关系研究:基于自我决定理论的跨层次模型

在对西安等地区302名单位员工进行问卷调查的基础上,探索工作重塑是否影响、如何影响员工幸福感.以自我决定理论为切入点,构建了工作重塑、人—岗匹配、员工幸福感以及支持性人力资源实践四个变量间的研究模型.结果显示:工作重塑正向影响员工幸福感;人—岗匹配在工作重塑与员工幸福感之间起到了部分中介作用;支持性人力资源实践调节了工...     

公司声誉、财务信息与债务违约风险估计

假设公司资产信息是完全的,在财务信息完全和不完全两种情况下,本文把公司声誉水平作为一个影响因素,估计了公司债务违约概率,并着重分析了债务违约概率对声誉水平的敏感性。数值模拟分析的结论并不完全支持声誉水平与违约概率负相关、债务期限与违约概率正相关的常识。资产波动率、公司资产的瞬时漂移率分别与违约概率负相关、正相关。这些结论为把声誉纳入信用风险度量中提供了一个新的研究视角。     

Exploring the effect of a middle response category on response style in attitude measurement

In this research we focus on the link between response style behaviour in answering rating data such as Likert scales and the number of response categories that is offered. In a split-ballot experiment two versions of a questionnaire were randomly administered. The questionnaires only differed in the number of response categories, i.e. 5 vs. 6 categories. In both samples a latent-class confirmatory factor analysis revealed an extreme response style factor. The 6-response categories version, however, revealed the more consistent set of effects. As far as the content latent-class factors, i.e. familistic values and ethnocentrism, are concerned, results were fairly similar. However, a somewhat deviant pattern regarding the familistic values items in the 6-response categories version suggested that this set of items is less homogeneous than the set of ethnocentric items. The effect of gender, age and education was also tested and revealed similarities as well as differences between the two samples.     

Hierarchical Models for the Analysis of Likert Scales in Regression and Item Response Analysis

Appropriate modelling of Likert‐type items should account for the scale level and the specific role of the neutral middle category, which is present in most Likert‐type items that are in common use. Powerful hierarchical models that account for both aspects are proposed. To avoid biased estimates, the models separate the neutral category when modelling the effects of explanatory variables on the outcome. The main model that is propagated uses binary response models as building blocks in a hierarchical way. It has the advantage that it can be easily extended to include response style effects and non‐linear smooth effects of explanatory variables. By simple transformation of the data, available software for binary response variables can be used to fit the model. The proposed hierarchical model can be used to investigate the effects of covariates on single Likert‐type items and also for the analysis of a combination of items. For both cases, estimation tools are provided. The usefulness of the approach is illustrated by applying the methodology to a large data set.     

因子分析模型L的优良性和应用

传统的因子分析模型,公因子解不能降维或失去一些变量解释,故因子分析需要找出一个优良模型。而优良模型的确定需要更好的量化优良性准则,为此本文用因子分析的基本思想和目的,提出因子分析降维性、解释性、拟合性更好的量化优良性准则,并证明有目标函数最大化的因子分析模型L是因子分析的一个优良模型和方法。实证表明,因子分析模型L具有优良性,传统因子分析模型的最大似然法、主因子法误差较大。     

Exercise as a Means of Reducing Perceptions of Work‐Family Conflict: A Test of the Roles of Self‐Efficacy and Psychological Strain

Prior research suggests that exercise has positive benefits for individuals and the organizations they work for. Using the literature related to social cognitive theory and exercise, the present study hypothesizes and tests the effects of exercise on two directions of work‐family conflict: work interference with family (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW). Using a sample of 476 working adults, we found that exercise was both positively related to self‐efficacy for managing work‐family conflict and negatively related to reported psychological strain, which in turn were related to reductions in work‐family conflict. Model fit for the data support our contention that exercise indirectly influences work‐family conflict via its direct impact on increased self‐efficacy and reduced psychological strain. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Local institutions,external finance and investment decisions of small businesses in Vietnam

This study investigates the impacts of local institutions, external finance, and their joint effects on firm investment in Vietnam. Investment decisions are classified into two categories: fixed asset investment and non-fixed asset investment. Analysing a set of 1.3 million firm-year observations of businesses in Vietnam (2006–2016), we find evidence that local institutions (both formal and informal) positively influence fixed asset investment but negatively affect non-fixed asset investment. Also, we find that informal loans are positively associated with both types of firm investment while bank loans are negatively associated with both types of firm investment. More importantly, we find that the quality of local institutions is able to moderate firms’ external financing behaviour, leading to increased investment values.     

Changing energy parameters and the evolution of urban spatial structure

In this paper two different models of urban spatial structure are developed. The first is based on equilibrium analysis and the dynamics of the equilibrium solution are examined. The second is based on disequilibrium analysis and is formulated as a set of differential equations. The models are run to assess the effects of changing energy parameters, particularly in relation to transport costs, and it is shown that a range of different patterns of spatial structure emerge.     

Social support during COVID-19: Exploring the psychometric properties of the PSS-JSAS and its relationship with job search activities

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of social support for everyone. Supports from relatives, neighbors, and friends are more significant for a job seeker, especially during the pandemic. Accordingly, the present study explored the psychometric properties of the Perceived Social Support for Job Search Activities Scale (PSS-JSAS) in the Indian context with the help of two independent samples. First sample of 518 respondents was randomly divided into two subsamples using the random case selection feature in the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the first subsample, which yielded a one-factor model explaining 47.23% of variations. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) conducted on the second subsample concluded a good model fit of PSS-JSAS. In the second sample, Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability values (greater than 0.70) established the scale's reliability. Results also revealed that the correlation coefficients between PSS-JSAS score, hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism were 0.470, 0.552, 0.621, and 0.5 at p < 0.01. It also revealed a negative association with job search anxiety scores (r = −0.549, p < 0.01). Thus, PSS-JSAS was positively associated with PsyCap and negatively correlated with job search anxiety behaviors. It concluded the criterion validity of PSS-JSAS in the Indian context. Multigroup factor analysis concludes that the scale is equally valid for both Indian males and females. Hence, results reported adequate reliability and validity of the scale in the Indian context. These findings will encourage future researchers to investigate the phenomena of social support in the job search.     

Modelling the UK gilt-edged market

In this paper we examine the sectoral demand for UK gilt-edged securities. The Tobin–Markowitz model of portfolio choice generates the prediction that asset holdings should be negatively correlated with the own price, and positively correlated with the prices of major substitutes. In contrast, for all the five major groups of UK gilt holders, we find evidence consistent with a reverse correlation between the own price and market holdings which we argue arises due to the passive revaluation of existing holdings. We examine the empirical evidence using both cointegration analysis of stock holdings and a dynamic model of net transactions.     

Do parents,teachers and children use the SDQ in a similar fashion?

Few studies have investigated whether parents’, teachers’ and children’s responses to the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) have equivalence. In this study, data from 854 matched questionnaires collected in Malaysia were subjected to tau equivalence confirmatory factor analysis, to assess if all three groups responded to the same target (the child) similarly. We first fitted Goodman’s (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 38, 581–586, (1997a); Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 791–801, 1997b) five factor model, but found that this did not fit the model despite attempts to improve and rectify model fit. We thereafter attempted to fit Dickey and Blumberg (Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 1159–1167, 2004) three factor model, but similarly found a lack of fit. We then undertook an exploratory model with a random half of the data, obtaining a three factor solution, and tested this in a confirmatory tau equivalence model. The Unconstrained Model provided a fit to the data, revealing a similar structure across the three informant groups. As this fit was for the Unconstrained Model, it reveals that groups differ in the value they place on each of the variables but overall that held a similar underlying factor structure. The findings are discussed in relation to the possible cultural issues involved and the use of the SDQ.     

Green human resource management: Development of a valid measurement scale

The objective of the study was to develop a valid measurement scale for green human resource management (HRM). Even though the common practices of green HRM have been presented in much of the literature, the previous studies focused only on a small number of functions in integrating environmental management with HRM. Additionally, the measurement of green HRM practices still calls for empirical validation. The two‐stage methodology of structural equation modeling in AMOS was employed for data analysis. Exploratory factor analysis revealed seven dimensions of the construct measured by 28 items. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factor structure. The measuring instruments revealed convergent and discriminant validity. Several model fit indices indicated the model fitness. The study provided supplementary evidence on the underlying structure of the construct that can be valuable to researchers and practitioners in this area.     

Impacts of Monetary, Fiscal and Exchange Rate Policies on Output in China: A Var Approach

Applying the VAR model and using the interest rate as a monetary policy variable, we find that in the long run, output in China responds negatively to a shock to the interest rate, the real exchange rate, government debt, or the inflation rate, and it reacts positively to a shock to government deficits or lagged own output. When real M2 is chosen as a monetary policy variable, long-term output in China responds positively to a shock to real M2 or lagged own output, and it reacts negatively to a shock to the real exchange rate, government debt, or government deficits. Its response to a shock to the inflation rate is negative when government debt is used and is positive when government deficits are considered. In the short run, fiscal policy is more important than monetary policy in three out of four cases. In the long run, monetary policy is more influential than fiscal policy in three out of four cases. Therefore, the government may consider conducting monetary and fiscal policies differently in the short run and long run. The government needs to be cautious in pursuing deficit spending as its long-term impacts depend on the monetary variable employed. The policy of maintaining a relatively stable exchange rate is appropriate as the depreciation of the Yuan may hurt the economy in the short run.JEL Classifications: E5, F4, H6