The following diploma thesis is a scale development study in context of the public sector. A set of sound measurement models had to be developed for measuring an initially supplied, not yet quantitatively evaluated, conceptual model of Barth and Veit (2011). As the individual parts of the conceptual model are not of a directly observable nature, scale development techniques had to be used to make them empirically manifest (e.g. DeVellis, 2003; Gerbing and Anderson, 1988). A stringent procedure, based on literature recommendations and best practices was followed, as the development of reliable and valid scales is not trivial. There- fore, a generalized scale development procedure and its corresponding subparts were derived of a large amount of available publications from different fields of research like information systems, operations management, psychometrics, etc. Two specific processes of the public sector, namely the civil marriage and residency change, were used as context for phrasing meaningful sentences and cap- turing a broad range of citizens’ resistance towards conducting a public process virtually. Eventually, the measurement models should be usable to easily apply the conceptual model to ideally any process of the public sector.
After the creation of an initial pool of items, resulting preliminary scales were qualitatively tested and refined in multiple steps, ranging from expert opinions to comprehensiveness checks and particular sorting procedures. Notably, 62 distinct qualitative interviews with citizens were accomplished to reduce the set of indicators from 150 to 64. In a following step, a quantitative survey was employed, which yielded around 350 responses as a basis for data preparation and statistical analyses. This statistical evaluation procedure was twofold. First generation techniques like the exploratory factor analysis or Cronbach’s Alpha were discussed and applied. Afterwards, the developed scales were tested in a confirmatory manner by the use of a multivariate second generation structural equation modeling approach. The two most common analysis methods for structural equation modeling, covariance-based via LISREL and variance-based via partial least squares, were compared, before the latter was applied due to theoretical considerations. Quality criteria of the measurement models were analyzed. As a result, all of these models comply to generally acknowledged evaluation criteria with regard to reliability and validity.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Motivation
- Initially supplied conceptual model
- Research question
- Research context: processes of the public sector
- Structure of thesis
- Theoretical foundation: methodology of scale development
- Introduction to scale development
- A generalized scale development procedure
- Derivation of discrete procedure aspects
- Indicator creation
- Preliminary instrument design choices
- Reliability and validity requirements
- Reliability
- Validity
- Repeated analysis and refinement of instrument
- Qualitative analysis and refinement
- Quantitative analysis and refinement
- First generation techniques
- Second generation techniques
- Scale development procedure of Hensley (1999)
- Scale development procedure of DeVellis (2003)
- Scale development procedure of Homburg and Giering (1996)
- Practical implementation: applied scale development procedure
- Derivation of applied procedure
- Preliminary scale development (phase 1)
- Clear definition and description of constructs
- Item pool generation
- Control variables
- Qualitative development of survey instrument (phase 2)
- Instrument design choices
- Qualitative pre-test of instrument
- Round 1: procedure and results
- Round 2: procedure and results
- Round 3: procedure and results
- Quantitative development of final scales (phase 3)
- Quantitative survey and data collection
- Quantitative data analysis and evaluation
- Data preparation
- Sample description
- Choice of analysis techniques and corresponding evaluation procedure
- Separate evaluation of measurement models
- Reflective measurement models
- Formative measurement models
- Joint evaluation of measurement models
- Discussion
- Proposal of sound measurement models
- Limitations
- Further research
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The aim of this diploma thesis is to develop a set of reliable and valid measurement models for a conceptual model of process virtualization in the public sector. The study utilizes a rigorous scale development procedure, applying both qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques to ensure the quality of the developed scales. Key themes explored in this thesis include:- Scale development methodology in the public sector context
- Measurement models for process virtualization constructs
- Application of qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Evaluation of measurement model quality through reliability and validity assessments
- Analysis of formative measurement models and their unique characteristics
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
This section will provide summaries of the chapters, excluding the conclusion.- Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of process virtualization in the public sector, outlining the motivation behind the study, the initially supplied conceptual model, the research question, the specific context of the public sector processes used, and the structure of the thesis.
- Chapter 2: Theoretical foundation: methodology of scale development: This chapter explores the theoretical foundation of scale development methodology. It introduces the generalized scale development procedure, including the derivation of discrete aspects, indicator creation, preliminary instrument design choices, reliability and validity requirements, and repeated analysis and refinement of the instrument. The chapter also discusses three specific scale development procedures by Hensley (1999), DeVellis (2003), and Homburg and Giering (1996).
- Chapter 3: Practical implementation: applied scale development procedure: This chapter details the practical implementation of the scale development procedure. It covers the derivation of the applied procedure, preliminary scale development, qualitative development of the survey instrument, and quantitative development of the final scales. This chapter explores the specific processes of civil marriage and residency change as context for the study.
- Chapter 4: Discussion: This chapter discusses the findings of the study, including the proposed sound measurement models, limitations of the study, and implications for future research.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This diploma thesis focuses on the development of sound measurement models for process virtualization in the public sector, employing qualitative and quantitative research methods. Key terms and concepts explored include scale development, measurement models, process virtualization, public sector, reliability, validity, qualitative research, quantitative research, formative measurement, and structural equation modeling. The study utilizes specific examples of public sector processes such as civil marriage and residency change to illustrate the application of the developed scales.- Quote paper
- Christian Lubasch (Author), 2011, Process Virtualization Theory in the Public Sector: A Scale Development Study, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/201072
