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Formative Versus Reflective Measurement Models: Two Applications Of Formative Measurement, T. Coltman, T. M. Devinney, D. F. Midgley, S. Venaik

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents a framework that helps researchers to design and validate both formative and reflective measurement models. The framework draws from the existing literature and includes both theoretical and empirical considerations. Two important examples, one from international business and one from marketing, illustrate the use of the framework. Both examples concern constructs that are fundamental to theory-building in these disciplines, and constructs that most scholars measure reflectively. In contrast, applying the framework suggests that a formative measurement model may be more appropriate. These results reinforce the need for all researchers to justify, both theoretically and empirically, their choice of …