Manual Smart Pls
Manual Smart Pls
Manual Smart Pls
Ringle
SmartPLS Manual
Frderverein Industrielles Management an der Universitt Hamburg e.V. (2004), Postfach 130342, 20103 Hamburg, Germany
(Registered society to support the Institute for Operations Management and Organizations at the University of Hamburg, Germany)
All rights reserved Institute for Operations Management and Organizations at the University of Hamburg: http://ibl-unihh.de Weppage of the SmartPLS project : http://www.smartpls.de
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 4 2. INSTALLATION....................................................................................................... 4
2.1. System Requirements.....................................................................................................................4 2.2. Start SmartPLS ................................................................................................................................4
3. MAIN WINDOW....................................................................................................... 5
3.1. Create New Model............................................................................................................................5 3.2. Open Model....................................................................................................................................... 6
4. MODEL EDITOR..................................................................................................... 7
4.1. Options.............................................................................................................................................. 8 4.1.1. Output Options............................................................................................................................8 4.1.2. Data Options...............................................................................................................................8 4.1.3. Algorithm Options.......................................................................................................................8 4.2. Working Area....................................................................................................................................8 4.2.1. Drawing Area..............................................................................................................................8 4.2.2. Tool Bar......................................................................................................................................8 4.3. Indicators Management.................................................................................................................15
6. SHORTCUTS......................................................................................................... 21
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1. Introduction
SmartPLS is a software application for the design of structural equation models (SEM) on a graphical user interface (GUI). These models can be measured with the method of partial least squares (PLS)-analysis. Hence, it is possible to import data of manifest (indicator) variables in the model. This software was created in a project at the Institute of Operations Management and Organizations (School of Business), University of Hamburg (Germany).
2. Installation
SmartPLS employs the Java WebStart technology. Thus, it is applicable on all computer operating systems and the latest version is always provided.
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3. Main Window
After opening SmartPLS, the main window appears. It is possible to either create a new model or to open an existing model.
Modelle ffnen
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A CSV file as source for the manifest variables in the model must be chosen. Such files can be generated with several software applications, e.g. Excel or SPSS.
Note: A SmartPLS model file (.splsm) consists of both the model structure as well as the data for the manifest variables. Thus, all required information are saved in one file and models can be easily transferred.
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4. Model Editor
After selecting either the function create new model or open model, the SmartPLS model editor can be used to create, change and calculate models. It is also possible to work with more than one model in the same session. Every model appears in its own window. The model editor is divided into three different areas: manifest variables, properties and drawing board.
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4.1. Options
4.1.1. Output Options
Settings for the report file format can be changed in the format field. The current version only supports HTML (hypertext markup language).
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Selection mode
Drawing mode
Connection mode
Selection mode
Objects on the drawing board can be selected and moved in the selection modus. Holding the [SHIFT] key pressed allows for multiple selection of objects. An existing object on the drawing board can be edited in this mode by doubleclicking with the left mouse button.
Note: Keep the [SHIFT]-button pressed to only horizontally or vertically move objects with the mouse pointer. Note: Click with the right mouse button on an empty area on the drawing board in order to automatically change the selection mode.
Drawing mode
Latent model variables can be added in the drawing mode. Click with left mouse button on the drawing area to create a new latent variable with a standard label (lv0, lv1, lv2). The name of the latent variables can be changed (see selection mode).
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Connection mode
The connection between the latent variables can be established in the connection mode. If the connection mode is selected, connection points (ports) appear in the middle of all latent variables.
Port
In order to connect two latent variables, the mouse pointer has to be moved on a port (the cursor changes). Then, press the left mouse button and keep it pressed while moving the mouse pointer to the target variable (the connection line is drawn simultaneously). When the port of the target variable is reached, stop pressing the left mouse button in order to create the connection.
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b) Modelling Functions Several useful functions are provided in the tool bar for the creation and change of models.
Delete Grid on/of Original size Zoom in Zoom out Undo Redo Group Ungroup Bring to front Send to back Calculate model
Delete
Selected elements on the drawing board can be deleted with this function ( ).
Grid on/off ) allows to show and hide a grid on the drawing area.
This function (
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Zoom Functions
The functions zoom in ( ) and zoom out ( ) change the displayed size of the model. The function original size ( ) resets the changes to the original size of 100%. Note: The displayed size of the model can also be changed with the wheel of a scroll/wheel mouse.
Undo/Redo
The last changes can be taken back stepwise with the function undo ( ). Use the function redo ( ) in order to redo the undo actions.
Group/Ungroup ) can be used to combine several selected elements on ) dissolves these combina-
The functions bring to front ( ) and move to back ( ) can be used to change the displayed order of overlapping objects on the drawing board.
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Context Menu
Show/hide Indicators
Larger models have a relatively complex structure. The function hide indicators ( ) allows to hide all indicator variables of a selected latent variable. Thus, the project structure can be easily handled. These indicators can be displayed again on the drawing board for a certain latent variable with the function show indicators ( ).
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Note: The font of the latent variable is bold when the indicator variables are hidden.
Reverse Link
The function reverse link changes the measurement model of latent variables from reflective (the arrows are heading from the latent to the manifest variable) to formative (the arrows are heading from the manifest to the latent variable) and vice versa (default setting: reflective measurement model).
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Arrange Indicators
SmartPLS offers features to automatically order the indicators. Selecting above ( ), below ( ), left ( ) or right ( ) places the indicators in the corresponding position in relation to the selected latent variable.
To do this, select a manifest variable by clicking on it (it is highlighted). Multiple manifest variables can be selected by pressing the [STRG] key and the left mouse button. A second click on this manifest variable removes the selection (the variable is not highlighted).
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When selecting the last manifest variable, keep the left mouse button pressed, drag the indicators on a chosen latent variable on the drawing board and drop them. Thus, the manifest variables become part of the measurement model of latent variables. The font of these indicators, listed in the manifest variables box, changes from black to red in order to indicate that these variables are already part of the model.
Before dragging and dropping the selected manifest variables, their location with regard to the latent variable can be specified (see arrange indicators).
Hint: The direction of the arrow pointer of additionally added indicator variables depends on the measurement model of a certain latent variable (see also reverse link).
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5.1. Edit
The descriptions for this option in the menu bar can be found in sections 4.2.2. Tool Bar and 4.2.3. Context Menu.
5.2. View
The descriptions for this option in the menu bar can be found in section 4.2.2. Tool Bar.
5.3. PLS
After the creation of a path model, several options for the model measurement and evaluation are available in the menu bar under PLS.
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5.3.2. Resampling
This functionality will be available, soon.
The left hand side displays the list of data already integrated in the model, while the indicators of the new/updated CSV-file appear on the right hand side. After finishing the assignment, press OK.
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5.3.4. Report
It is possible to generate a report for calculated models. In this version of SmartPLS, only HTML as report export format is supported. After selecting a target folder, the report is generated in that folder. Just open the HTML file to see the results of the model calculation and evaluation. The report has different sections. All parts can be printed on paper in A4 format (and US-letter, soon). Additionally, all information of the report are saved in a CSV data files.
5.3.5. Export
The currently edited model can be exported to the following data formats: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, SVG.
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If the JPEG format is selected, the quality of the picture may be specified (with a slider). This affects the resolution and the size of the exported JPEG file.
5.4. Window
It is possible to switch between all open windows in SmartPLS with the Window option in the menu bar.
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6. Shortcuts
The following shortcuts can be used to accelerate and simplify the usage of SmartPLS: Shortcuts [STRG] + [A] [STRG] + [B] [STRG] + [C] [STRG] + [D] [STRG] + [F] [STRG] + [G] [STRG] + [H] [STRG] + [I] [STRG] + [J] [STRG] + [K] [STRG] + [L] [STRG] + [N] [STRG] + [O] [STRG] + [R] [STRG] + [S] [STRG] + [T] [STRG] + [U] [STRG] + [V] [STRG] + [X] [STRG] + [Y] [STRG] + [Z] Functions Select all objects in the drawing area Move object in the background Calculate Model Delete object Move object in the foreground Group object Hide indicators Align indicators above (the latent variable) Align indicators on the left side (of the latent variable) Align indicators below (the latent variable) Align indicators on the right side (of the latent variable) Create new document Open an existing document Reverse link Save Document Grid on/off Ungroup Show Indicators Export Model in graphic Redo Undo
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