2013/06/01 by Thomas J. Goldsby, A. Michael Knemeyer, Jason W. Miller +1 · 87 citations
paper · doi:10.1111/jbl.12013
published in Journal of Business Logistics 34(2), 109-116 (Wiley)
crossref issued 2013/06/01 · crossref published 2013/06/01 · crossref published-print 2013/06/01 · crossref published-online 2013/06/11 · crossref created 2013/06/11 · crossref deposited 2023/10/30 · crossref indexed 2026/08/04
A moderator is any variable that affects the strength of a relationship between a predictor and an outcome variable. While simple in concept, the application of moderation analysis can yield profound implications to research conducted in logistics and supply chain management. Moderation analysis illuminates boundary conditions to purported relationships, providing a deeper perspective on what may, to date, represent generalizable findings and commonly held beliefs in the field. Such findings prove interesting and enrich our theories. Further, moderation relies on precise measurement of theoretical constructs in order to avoid attenuation of statistical tests and detect interaction effects. This thought leadership piece seeks to: (1) assert the value of moderation analysis and encourage a more prominent place in our survey‐based research projects, (2) provide best practice approaches for using this type of analysis in pursuit of greater depth and clarity in our research, and (3) provide seeds for potential research projects that could benefit from the use of this type of analysis. Guidance is also provided for reviewers who assess manuscripts featuring moderation.