Title
On the use of partial least squares path modeling in accounting research
Abstract
Partial least squares (PLS) is an approach to structural equation modeling (SEM) that is extensively used in the social sciences to analyze quantitative data. However, PLS has not been as readily adopted in the accounting discipline. A review of the accounting literature found 20 studies in a subset of accounting journals that used PLS as the data analysis tool. PLS allows researchers to analyze the measurement model simultaneously with the structural model and allows researchers to adopt more complex research models with both moderating and mediating relationships. This paper assists accounting researchers that may be interested in adopting PLS as an analysis tool. We explain the benefits of using PLS and compare and contrast this analysis approach with both ordinary least squares regression and covariance-based SEM. We also explain how the PLS algorithm works to derive estimates for the measurement and structural models. To further assist researchers interested in using PLS, we offer guidelines in the development of research models, analysis of the data, and the interpretation of these results with PLS. We apply these guidelines to the accounting studies that have used PLS and offer further recommendations about how researchers could apply PLS in future accounting research.
Year
DOI
Venue
2011
10.1016/j.accinf.2011.05.002
International Journal of Accounting Information Systems
Keywords
Field
DocType
Partial least squares,Structural equation modeling
Econometrics,Accounting research,Data mining,Structural equation modeling,Computer science,Partial least squares regression,Ordinary least squares,Partial least squares path modeling
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
12
4
1467-0895
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
14
1.04
13
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Lorraine Lee1253.55
Stacie Petter2159048.95
Dutch Fayard3141.37
Shani Robinson4141.04