Sociology

Qualitative research

Partial least squares regression

Social science

Epistemology

Machine learning

Engineering

Philosophy

Management system

Originality

Operations management

Quality (philosophy)

Computer science

Management science

Quality management

Structural equation modeling

The TQM Journal

Purpose Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has become an established social sciences multivariate analysis technique. Since quality management researchers also increasingly using PLS-SEM, this growing interest calls for guidance. Design/methodology/approach Based on established guidelines for applying PLS-SEM and evaluating the results, this research reviews 107 articles applying the method and published in eight leading quality management journals. Findings The use of PLS-SEM in quality management often only draws on limited information and analysis results. The discipline would benefit from the method's more comprehensive use by following established guidelines. Specifically, the use of predictive model assessment and more advanced PLS-SEM analyses harbors the potential to provide more detailed findings and conclusions when applying the method. Research limitations/implications This research provides first insights into PLS-SEM's use in quality management. Future research should identify the key areas and the core quality management models that best support the method's capabilities and researchers' goals. Practical implications The results of this analysis guide researchers who use the PLS-SEM method for their quality management studies. Originality/value This is the first article to systematically review the use of PLS-SEM in the quality management discipline.

A brief review of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) use in quality management studies