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Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling: A Business Culture Application in Kenya

Received: 12 October 2015    Accepted: 26 October 2015    Published: 16 March 2016
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Abstract

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a multivariate method that incorporates regression, path-analysis and factor analysis. Classical SEM requires the assumption of multivariate normality to be met and large sample size, also choice is made either to ignore uncertainties or treat the latent variables as observed. National culture Data gathered in a study or survey may be inform of ordered categories and may not follow the assumptions of multivariate normality. This restricts the use of frequentist method of estimation. A Bayesian approach to SEM allows inclusion of this uncertainty and directly models the uncertainties in predictive models. In addition Bayesian SEM does not require constant variance normal disturbances and the sample size can be a small number. The development and application of Bayesian SEM has been relatively slow but it has been made possible by Gibbs sampler. The main purpose of the study was model National Culture in Kenya based on Hofstede model and business performance. Maximum likelihood Estimation was used to estimate the parameters in Classical SEM. Gibbs sampler algorithm was employed in Bayesian approach to SEM. This study used non-informative priors. The convergence of parameter was evaluated using proportional scale reduction procedure and trace and density plots. Data was gathered from employees in Nairobi through structured questionnaires. Bayesian SEM with non-informative prior gave the best estimates indicating that personal distance, individualism and long term orientation were significantly related to business performance. However, Uncertainty Avoidance had no significant relationship with business performance.

Published in Science Journal of Applied Mathematics and Statistics (Volume 4, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjams.20160402.13
Page(s) 37-42
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Structural Equation Modeling, Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, Proportional Scale Reduction

References
[1] Bollen, K. (1989), ‘Structural equations with latent variables. wiley & sons, new york’.
[2] U. H. Olsson, T. Foss, S. T. & Howell. R. (2000), ‘The performance of ml, gls, and wls estimation in sem under conditions of misspecification and non-normality.’, Structural Equation Modeling 7, 557–595.
[3] Skrondal, A. and S. Rabe-Hesketh (2004), ‘Generalized latent variable modeling: multilevel longitudinal, and structural equation models’.
[4] R. Scheines, H. Hoijtink & Boomsma., A. (1999), ‘Bayesian estimation and testing of structural equation models.’ Psychometrika 64, 37–52.
[5] Lee, S. Y., & Song X. Y. (2004), ‘Evaluation of the bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches in analyzing structural equation models with small sample sizes.’ Multivariate Behavioral Research 39(4), 653–686.
[6] Lee, S. Y. (2007), ‘Bayesian estimation of structural equation models. in s. y. lee(ed.)’, Structural Equation Modeling: A Bayesian Approach pp. 67–109.
[7] Yuan, Y., & MacKinnon D. P. (2009), ‘Bayesian mediation analysis’, Psychological Methods 14(4), 301–322.
[8] Tzeremes, N. G. and G. E. Halkos (2008), ‘Does the home country’s national culture affect mncs performance? empirical evidence of the worlds top 100 east west non financial mnc’s’, Global Economic Review 37(4), 405–427.
[9] McCrae, R. R., Terraciano A. Realo A. & Allik J. (2008), ‘Interpreting globe societal practices scales’, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 39(6), 805–810.
[10] Newman, K. L and S. D Nollen (1996), ‘Culture and congruence: The fit between management practices and national culture’, Journal of International Business Studies 27(4), 753–778.
[11] Gelman, A., Carlin J. B. Stern H. S. and D. B. Rubin (2004), Bayesian Data Analysis, 2nd ed edn, CRC Press., London.
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  • APA Style

    Mutitu Ephantus Mwangi, Antony Wanjoya. (2016). Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling: A Business Culture Application in Kenya. Science Journal of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, 4(2), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjams.20160402.13

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    ACS Style

    Mutitu Ephantus Mwangi; Antony Wanjoya. Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling: A Business Culture Application in Kenya. Sci. J. Appl. Math. Stat. 2016, 4(2), 37-42. doi: 10.11648/j.sjams.20160402.13

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    AMA Style

    Mutitu Ephantus Mwangi, Antony Wanjoya. Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling: A Business Culture Application in Kenya. Sci J Appl Math Stat. 2016;4(2):37-42. doi: 10.11648/j.sjams.20160402.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjams.20160402.13,
      author = {Mutitu Ephantus Mwangi and Antony Wanjoya},
      title = {Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling: A Business Culture Application in Kenya},
      journal = {Science Journal of Applied Mathematics and Statistics},
      volume = {4},
      number = {2},
      pages = {37-42},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjams.20160402.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjams.20160402.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjams.20160402.13},
      abstract = {Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a multivariate method that incorporates regression, path-analysis and factor analysis. Classical SEM requires the assumption of multivariate normality to be met and large sample size, also choice is made either to ignore uncertainties or treat the latent variables as observed. National culture Data gathered in a study or survey may be inform of ordered categories and may not follow the assumptions of multivariate normality. This restricts the use of frequentist method of estimation. A Bayesian approach to SEM allows inclusion of this uncertainty and directly models the uncertainties in predictive models. In addition Bayesian SEM does not require constant variance normal disturbances and the sample size can be a small number. The development and application of Bayesian SEM has been relatively slow but it has been made possible by Gibbs sampler. The main purpose of the study was model National Culture in Kenya based on Hofstede model and business performance. Maximum likelihood Estimation was used to estimate the parameters in Classical SEM. Gibbs sampler algorithm was employed in Bayesian approach to SEM. This study used non-informative priors. The convergence of parameter was evaluated using proportional scale reduction procedure and trace and density plots. Data was gathered from employees in Nairobi through structured questionnaires. Bayesian SEM with non-informative prior gave the best estimates indicating that personal distance, individualism and long term orientation were significantly related to business performance. However, Uncertainty Avoidance had no significant relationship with business performance.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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    AB  - Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a multivariate method that incorporates regression, path-analysis and factor analysis. Classical SEM requires the assumption of multivariate normality to be met and large sample size, also choice is made either to ignore uncertainties or treat the latent variables as observed. National culture Data gathered in a study or survey may be inform of ordered categories and may not follow the assumptions of multivariate normality. This restricts the use of frequentist method of estimation. A Bayesian approach to SEM allows inclusion of this uncertainty and directly models the uncertainties in predictive models. In addition Bayesian SEM does not require constant variance normal disturbances and the sample size can be a small number. The development and application of Bayesian SEM has been relatively slow but it has been made possible by Gibbs sampler. The main purpose of the study was model National Culture in Kenya based on Hofstede model and business performance. Maximum likelihood Estimation was used to estimate the parameters in Classical SEM. Gibbs sampler algorithm was employed in Bayesian approach to SEM. This study used non-informative priors. The convergence of parameter was evaluated using proportional scale reduction procedure and trace and density plots. Data was gathered from employees in Nairobi through structured questionnaires. Bayesian SEM with non-informative prior gave the best estimates indicating that personal distance, individualism and long term orientation were significantly related to business performance. However, Uncertainty Avoidance had no significant relationship with business performance.
    VL  - 4
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Author Information
  • Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, School of Mathematical Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, School of Mathematical Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya

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