Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling to Measure the Moderating Effect of Gender: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Over recent decades, much has been written about sustainable development and its main dimensions (environmental, social, and economic). However, to date, there is a lack of academic literature on the relationship between these dimensions of sustainability, as well as whether sustainability is moderated by an individual’s gender. To fill this gap in the literature, the aim of this study is two-fold: first, we want to empirically analyze whether there is a relationship between these dimensions and, if so, whether this relationship is positive; secondly, we aim to evaluate whether gender influences the link between these dimensions of sustainability. To this end, a sample of 411 responses was analyzed using the Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology. The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between the three dimensions of sustainability; however, the effect of gender was observed only in the case of the relationship between social and environmental sustainability. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results and an outline of their theoretical and practical implications for industry.

Keywords

• economic sustainability
• gender
• PLS-SEM