A Primer on Moderated Mediation Analysis: Exploring Logistics Involvement in New Product Development

Abstract

Theorizing and empirically testing moderated mediation hypotheses allows logistics and supply chain management (L&SCM) scholars to extend the boundaries of our current understanding by examining how, when, and why relationships arise between constructs central to our theories. However, while moderated mediation analyses can enrich theory in L&SCM, they are few in number, likely due to the complexities associated with their execution. In this article, we provide a didactic treatment for executing moderated mediation analysis. We do so using primary data regarding logistics involvement in new product development. In the hopes of spurring greater application of moderated mediation in L&SCM, we devise a series of recommendations that guide scholars through the process of conducting such analyses. These recommendations extend prior treatments by explaining how to address challenges associated with devising theories to undergird moderated mediation hypotheses, measuring constructs using multiple indicators, providing guidance for detecting influential cases that can unduly affect results, and integrating what results should be reported.

Electronic Logging Device Compliance of Small and Medium Size Motor Carriers Prior to the December 18, 2017, Mandate

“…Our use of several theories to explain this finding further reinforces calls for theoretical pluralism to investigate logistics phenomena (Fawcett and Waller ; Calantone et al. ).…”

Strategic Purity and Efficiency in the Motor Carrier Industry: A Multiyear Panel Investigation

“…Following Calantone et al. 's () recommendation, we calculated factor scores for the pooled data using Mplus' Bayesian engine to draw factor scores for each record as part of the Bayesian estimation routine. We had the program draw 500 factor scores for each record using a thinning parameter of 20 to ensure that factor score draws were uncorrelated.…”

Social Media, External Prestige and Students’ Attitude towards Postgraduate Enrollment

“…The above information provides university managers with an understanding of how to best harness the various levers at their disposal (Calantone, Whipple, Wang, Sardashti, & Miller, 2017). For example, if a University seeks to improve enrollment by investing in greater social media engagements, it would also be important to consider investing in attractive, marketable and reputable programs that would make students' attitude to be favorable towards their institutions (assuming external prestige elements are already present) because these efforts enhance Social media engagement which positively impacts on students' attitude towards enrollment.…”