Moderated mediation and J-curve emergence in path models: an information systems research perspective

Abstract

Purpose

J-curve relationship analyses can provide valuable insights to information systems (IS) researchers. This paper aims to discuss moderated mediation in IS research and the related emergence of J-curve relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on an illustrative study in the field of IS, the author Lays out three steps to combine moderation and J-curve analyses, with the goal of more fully understanding the underlying moderated mediation relationships. The paper proposes a new segmentation delta method to test for J-curve emergence, as part of this framework.

Findings

The paper shows, in the context of this study, the complementarity of moderation and J-curve analyses.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, IS researchers rarely conduct moderation and J-curve analyses in a complementary way, even though there are software tools, and related methods, which allow them to do so in a relatively straightforward way.

Originality/value

The analyses were conducted with the software WarpPLS, a widely used tool that allows for moderated mediation and J-curve analyses, in a way that is fully compatible with the set of steps presented in this paper.

Citation

Kock, N. (2021), "Moderated mediation and J-curve emergence in path models: an information systems research perspective", Journal of Systems and Information Technology, Vol. 23 No. 3/4, pp. 303-321. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSIT-04-2021-0077