From Model to Interpretation: A Comprehensive and Critical Guide to PLS-SEM Implementation in Scientific Research

Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) has become a cornerstone of quantitative analysis, yet its rapid adoption has outpaced the dissemination of its evolving best practices, leading to a demonstrable crisis of rigor in published research. This paper aims to rectify this by providing a comprehensive, critical, and deeply pedagogical guide to the entire PLS-SEM research process. The objective is to move beyond a simple software tutorial and offer a methodological treatise that covers the method's philosophical underpinnings, a critical literature review of its evolution, a systematic review of its application in high-impact journals, a robust framework for research design, and a granular, step-by-step walkthrough of the modern two-stage analytical protocol. Key contemporary standards, such as the HTMT criterion for discriminant validity and the PLSpredict procedure for out-of-sample validation, are detailed and contextualized. By synthesizing the latest advancements into a single, accessible manuscript, this guide serves as an essential resource for elevating the standard of scientific inquiry and fostering research that is both theoretically sound and empirically robust.