PLS-SEM

Health Management Glossary

Research Methods

Definition. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is a variance-based SEM method that maximises explained variance in endogenous constructs and is suited to prediction-oriented and complex models.

Explanation

Hair and colleagues provide the main methodological guidance (Hair et al., 2022). Robustness checks for the structural model, such as nonlinear effects and endogeneity, are recommended (Sarstedt et al., 2019). Reviews in quality management note uneven reporting practices (Magno et al., 2024).

Related concepts

Structural equation modeling (SEM) Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) Mediation analysis Moderation analysis

Read on The Health Topics

• Structural model robustness checks in PLS-SEM
• PLS-SEM in Quality Management: Current Practices and Challenges

References

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage.

Magno, F., Cassia, F., & Ringle, C. M. (2024). A brief review of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) use in quality management studies. The TQM Journal, 36(5), 1242–1251. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-06-2022-0197

Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C. M., Cheah, J. H., Ting, H., Moisescu, O. I., & Radomir, L. (2019). Structural model robustness checks in PLS-SEM. Tourism Economics, 25 (4), 1–24.

Cite this entry: Kurutkan, M. N. (2026). PLS-SEM. In The Health Topics glossary. https://healthtopic.org/glossary/pls-sem/

← Back to the glossary