Two Monte Carlo studies were conducted to investigate the sensitivity of fit indices in detecting model misspecification in multilevel structural equation models (MSEM) with normally distributed or dichotomous outcome variables separately under various conditions. Simulation results showed that RMSEA and CFI only reflected within-model fit. In addition, SRMR for within-model (SRMR-W) was more sensitive to within-model misspecifications in factor covariances than pattern coefficients regardless of the impact of other design factors. Researchers should use SRMR-W in combination with RMSEA and CFI to evaluate the within-mode. On the other hand, SRMR for between-model (SRMR-B) was less likely to detect between-model misspecifications when ICC decreased. Lastly, the performance of WRMR was dominated by the misfit of within-model. In addition, WRMR was less likely to detect the misspecified between-models when ICC was relative low. Therefore, WRMR can be used to evaluate the between-model fit when the within-models were correctly specified and the ICC was not too small.

Dependencies in multilevel models at the second level have never been thoroughly examined. For certain designs first-level subjects are independent over time, but the second level subjects may exhibit nonzero covariances over time. Following a review of revelant literature the first study investigated which widely used computer programs adequately take into account these dependencies in their analysis. This was accomplished through a simulation study with SAS, and examples of analyses with Mplus and LISREL. The second study investigated the impact of two different missing data techniques for such designs in the case where data is missing at the first level with a simulation study in SAS. The first study simulated data produced in a multiyear study varying the numbers of subjects in the first and second levels, the number of data waves, the magnitude of effects at both the first and second level, and the magnitude of the second level covariance. Results showed that SAS and the MULTILEV component in LISREL analyze such data well while Mplus does not. The second study compared two missing data techniques in the presence of a second level dependency, multiple imputation (MI) and full information maximum likelihood (FIML). They were compared in a SAS simulation study in which the data was simulated with all the factors of the first study and the addition of missing data varied in amounts and patterns (missing completely at random or missing at random). Results showed that FIML is superior to MI because it produces lower bias and correctly estimates standard errors

The major aim of this study is to develop an integrative framework of the determinants and consequence of international human capital, the human capital which enables a firm to compete globally. The open systems view is introduced to develop a comprehensive measurement of international human capital, which includes input-based, transformational, output-based, and managerial international human capital. Human capital accumulation modes (the documentation mode and the socialization mode) are identified as the potential determinant, and global initiatives (global learning and global marketing) and financial performance as the potential outcome. The Structural Equation Modeling technique is employed to investigate the determinants and outcome of the human capital system. The results support our expectation that human capital accumulation modes foster the development of international human capital, which in turn enhances a firm¡¦s global initiatives and financial performance. Important role of output-based and managerial international human capital are also identified. Output-based international human capital not only enhances a firm¡¦s financial performance, but also facilitates its global initiatives. Managerial international human capital, on the other hand, indirectly fosters a firm¡¦s financial performance and global initiatives through its direct positive influences on the other international human capital components.

From the viewpoint of the public, academic work is relatively autonomous, stable, and stress-free as opposed to other professions. However, as the societal environment evolves, high satisfaction is no more an absolute consequence of academic work. Even in comparison to other professionals, the academics experienced longer working hours and heavier occupational stress; hence the events of ¡§Karoshi¡¨ among university academics happened from time to time. Actually, the reason resulting in ¡§Karoshi¡¨ has been proved related to health behavior, and the health behavior also has been proved associated with health belief. Following this concept, a study based upon ¡§health belief model¡¨ was carried out to investigate the health belief, health behavior, and health status of university academics, respectively, and the possible relationships among the aforementioned health related concepts. In total, 4,000 subjects were selected from among the 43,050 or so university academics nationwide based on stratified sampling approach. Data were collected through survey questionnaires which include personal demographics, health belief, health behavior, and health status information. From June through August 2004, 1,778 questionnaires returned with a response rate of 44.45%. SPSS was used for descriptive analysis and basic hypothesis test, and then the software package AMOS was used for structural equation modeling examination. Compared to the general population with the same age, the health status of university academics was worse in both physical and psychological function. Further, it was found that the factor work significantly contributed to each component of health belief (i.e. perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived barriers, and perceived benefits). In terms of health behavior, although the academics had no unhealthy habits (i.e. smoking or excessive drinking), the average working hour after 10 pm was more than one hour and one in three teachers didn¡¦t take exercise regularly, which altogether are definitely harmful to health. The structural equation modeling showed that an academic¡¦s health belief would influence his/her health behavior and then influence the health status indirectly. In other words, positive health belief will lead to healthy status in the long run, and negative health belief will conduce to unhealthy status. To sum up, the issue on improving the health status of academics is on edge and the responsibility for taking this issue would be shouldered by teamwork¡X individuals, educational authorities, and public health agencies. An academic should try his/her best to improve the health; the educational authorities should assess the job loading on academic population from time to time and draw up a better educational system; and finally, the public health agency should play the role of information disseminator and catalyst for strengthening the health belief and then improving the health behavior and health status among the academics.

The Perceptions of Politics Scale (POPS) that the researchers use to measure organizational politics vary greatly among different scholars of different countries. Even the inventors, (Kacmer & Ferris) themselves were inconsistent in using the measurement scales. Therefore, the motive and purpose of this study were to construct generalizability, confirmation, validity scale, the predictive relations between the perceptions of organizational politics and job stress, effect of the cross-sample and cross-circumstance so as to apply the model to other sampling population, hoping to faithfully reflecting the variables observed in them. This study used the scale of 26 items collected by Dr. Ho Chin-ming et al. using the statistics of 2002 and 2003 measured among 36 organizations of 9 industries in Taiwan. A total of 6,143 questionnaires (return rate of 63.44%) were used. Up to 82.9% of the valid questionnaires were adopted in the final analysis. The data were analyzed by applying statistical methods, including item analysis, reliability (Cronbach¡¦s £\), consistency corrected item-total correlation, alpha if item deleted and exploratory factor analysis for data-reduction. The structural model for POPS was empirically derived and developed. Model development strategy was used to choose the best from four measurement models, all 25 items mapping to one factor (perceptions of organizational politics), five factors retained, three factors retained (19 items), four factor retained (17 items). All were competing models. One measurement model was job stress. First order of hybrid model and second order of hybrid model forecast relationship between the perceptions of organizational politics and job stress. The result of hybrid model factors produced the most parsimonious set of items of acceptable reliability as the best model chosen. Models needed to follow, model specification, parameter estimates ( factors were analyzed and mean values for each item across the factors were calculated ), model identification, t-rule and overall model-fit (e.g., absolute fit indexes: £q2, df, GFI, SRMR, RMSEA & ECVI; relative fit indexes: NFI, NNFI, CFI, IFI & RFI; parsimonious fit indexes: PNFI, PGFI, AIC, CN & Normed £q2) using the available LISREL indicators. The result of using discriminating validity measure ¡¨supervisor behavior¡¨ and ¡§coworker and clique behavior¡¨ indicates that they are different constructs. Criterion-related validity measure is also distinct form criterion. Discriminate validity measures three factor and four factor model which are unidimension. The chi-square difference test comparison of three and four factor model is significant. Indicators of AIC, ECVI, CAIC and double cross-validation indicate the first order hybrid model is the best model chosen by the study. Loose replication strategy and tight replication strategy of cross-validation indicate model effect of the cross-sample and cross-circumstance and extension to other sampling population.

The study aims to explore some antecedents to products usage and its consequences in which a series of process of experiential evaluation is involved to center on the role of customer¡¦s experiential value after using personal computer. The conceptual model in this study is to extend the Use-Diffusion Model proposed by Shih and Venkatesh (2004) by including the framework of customer value based on Holbrook (1994). The survey method was employed in this study in which questionnaire was for data collection. The total sample size of 1114 was used in statistical analysis. According to the analytical results, we not only confirm the relationships suggested in the Use-Diffusion literature but also find the mediating effect of customer experiential value. That is, the evaluation of after-use experience leads to customer experiential value that in turn affects partially the customer intention of the sequential adoption of new technology. Besides contributing to the field of consumer research, the research findings in this study may provide insightful information that, we believe, helps managers to understand their incumbent customers.

Job Satisfaction of employees is the most important topic in organization today. There are many scles to measure the degree of employees¡¦ satisfaction. But it also has some problems. To resolve these issues, the study uses item analysis and factor analysis to reconstruct a new job satisfaction scale with 6 subscales and 33 items. Finally the study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to confirm the new scale. The findings indicate that the six subscales and 33 items job satisfaction scale is a reasonable and an accurate measurement model. The scale includes ¡§Job Achievement¡¨, ¡§Payroll Satisfation¡¨, ¡§Supervision Satisfaction¡¨, ¡§Job Support¡¨, ¡§Coworkers Satisfaction¡¨, and ¡§Promotion Satisfaction¡¨. The study wishes that the reconstruction of Job Satisfaction Scale can be a useful tool in Taiwan.

The transition of working patterns has led the work force today focus more on brain than labor, hence strengthen the desire for leisure. The relationship between leisure and work nowadays has different meaning. Besides of traditional concepts such as good for health or the release of work pressure, leisure is further considered to be a new goal to enhance job involvement. Factors of social capital such as trust and network are the significant elements of human interaction, which can not only create self-welfare but also bring better achievement on work. To work force with different degree of social capital, it is believed that different level of involvement to work would generate. From the start point of leisure instead of traditional point that focuses on work, the research combines and integrates perspectives of outdoor recreation, job involvement and social capital from different regions, exploring the relationship between leisure and work. Analyzed with SEM, questionnaire survey is adopted aiming at Kaohsiung Government¡¦s Officials. The research objects are divided into two groups with different degree of social capital, conducting the model construction and differentiation test separately. The research structure includes 9 variables: ¡§job involvement¡¨; ¡§net¡¨ and ¡§trust¡¨ in social capital; ¡§attitude¡¨, ¡§subjective norm¡¨, ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨, ¡§self-efficacy¡¨, ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ and ¡§behavioral frequency¡¨ in Theory of Planned Behavior of outdoor recreation. The results of the research have verified 11 hypotheses, among which 7 have been significant in both two high and low groups. The significance of the above-mentioned results is the following: (1) interpersonal ¡§network¡¨ increases interpersonal ¡§trust¡¨; (2) interpersonal ¡§network¡¨ increases the degree of ¡§job involvement¡¨; (3) after officials reflect on the ¡§subjective norm¡¨, the ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation is remarkably promoted; (4) officials¡¦ ¡§attitude¡¨ increases the ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation; (5) the ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨ of the resources and opportunities needed for officials to consider undertaking behavior outstandingly influence the ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation; (6) ¡§subjective norm¡¨ increases the brief of ¡§attitude¡¨ of outdoor recreation; (7) officials¡¦ ¡§self-efficacy¡¨ reflect on the ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨ of the resources and opportunities in outdoor recreation. In high social capital group, officials¡¦ cognition of ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation reflects on the degree of ¡§job involvement¡¨. In low social capital group, after officials reflect on the ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨ of the resources and opportunities in outdoor recreation, the brief of ¡§attitude¡¨ is increased.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is the critical software that streamlines processes and allocates internal resources, so firms can make quick responses to the market. However, not all firms can implement it successfully, so usually consultants are used to aid in the implementation process. Client firms expect consultants to transfer implementation knowledge to inner employees; therefore inner employees can contribute to the implementation process and learn how to maintain ERP systems by themselves. This research studies both consultant¡¦s and client¡¦s factors to achieve knowledge transfer in such complex system implementation. Based on prior researches including the antecedents of knowledge transfer and case studies on it, a sender-receiver model is developed. This model suggests that knowledge transfer is founded on proper mechanisms, which are influenced by consultant¡¦s and client¡¦s factors. Data were collected from both consultants and clients, and 175 samples were valid. Unlike prior studies, this model includes the client¡¦s information technology capability and consultant¡¦s agency behavior. The analysis suggests that knowledge transfer is founded on sound mechanisms, which are influenced by bilateral factors. The analysis also provides support for all 5 hypotheses and 12 of the 21 subhypotheses of bilateral factors, and it confirms two moderating relationships. These results (1) adapt antecedents of knowledge transfer and case findings to a sender-receiver model, (2) enhance the goodness of model by integrating antecedents and case findings, (3)incorporate new IS-related constructs and measures in an integrated model. This model can be applied to ERP implementation and other knowledge-outsourced IS contexts.

Within the context of construction projects, risk is generally defined as an uncertain happening which is the function of its occurrence probability and the severity of its possible impacts on pre-defined objectives. According to this definition, international construction projects are high-risk endeavors, since they are known with their complex natures, large sizes, multidisciplinary frameworks, and unfamiliar and uncertain environments. International construction projects have more complex risk emergence patterns as they are affected from multiple global and foreign country conditions as well as project-related factors. Huge and complicated interrelationships and dynamic interactions among these influencing factors necessitate more systematic, comprehensive, and multi-attribute risk management process for overseas projects. In order to satisfy the requirements of such a risk management system, a realistic, inclusive, and accurate picture of the real case, reflecting all the aforementioned aspects of the international projects, is necessary. The major aim of this study is to demonstrate that there are causal relationships between various risk factors which necessitate identification of risk paths rather than individual risk factors during risk identification and assessment phases. Identification of a network of interactive risk paths, each of which initiated from diverse v vulnerabilities of the project system, is considered to be a better reflection of the real conditions of construction projects rather than using generic risk checklists. In this study, using the data of 166 projects carried out by Turkish contractors in international markets, and utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique, 36 interrelated risk paths were identified and the total effects of each vulnerability factor and risk path on cost overrun were assessed. SEM findings prove the main hypotheses of the study. The results demonstrate that every risk path is generated from specific vulnerabilities of inherent in project environment. Risk identification using SEM helps decision-makers in answering &ldquo / what-if&rdquo / questions in early stages of a project, in tracing the effects of interdependent risks throughout the life of the project, and in evaluating the influence of alternative mitigation strategies, not only on specific risks, but also on the whole network of interrelated risk factors.