Alternative Approaches to Higher Order PLS Path Modeling: A Discussion on Methodological Issues and Applications

In the context of Partial Least Squares - Path Modeling, Higher-Order Constructs have enjoyed increasing popularity in the last few years in relation to the investigation of models with a high level of abstraction, particularly in cases where the building of a system of indicators depends on different levels of information. Higher-Order Constructs in Partial Least Squares - Path Modeling are considered as explicit representations of multidimensional constructs which are related to other constructs at a higher level of abstraction, thereby mediating completely the influence received from, or exercised on, their underlying dimensions. This chapter investigates the status and evolution of research studies on Higher-Order Constructs in Partial Least Squares - Path Modeling and focuses attention on the potentiality of their recent methodological applications, specifically on how they can help researchers in the estimation of complex and multidimensional phenomena. Different approaches will be discussed and compared using empirical applications within a social context.