Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has become
a standard approach for analyzing complex inter-relationships between
observed and latent variables. Researchers appreciate the many
advantages of PLS-SEM such as the possibility to estimate very complex
models and the method's flexibility in terms of data requirements and
measurement specification.
This practical open access guide provides a step-by-step treatment of
the major choices in analyzing PLS path models using R, a free software
environment for statistical computing, which runs on Windows, macOS, and
UNIX computer platforms. Adopting the R software's SEMinR package, which
brings a friendly syntax to creating and estimating structural equation
models, each chapter offers a concise overview of relevant topics and
metrics, followed by an in-depth description of a case study. Simple
instructions give readers the "how-tos" of using SEMinR to obtain
solutions and document their results. Rules of thumb in every chapter
provide guidance on best practices in the application and interpretation
of PLS-SEM.