Wednesday, 16th July 2025 — Tourism Marketing Management lecturers, including Mr. Taufik Abdullah, S.E., MM.Par., Ph.D., Rijal Khaerani, S.Si., M.Stat., Dr. Gitasiswhara, MM., Dewi Pancawati Novalita, MM., Yeni Yuniawati, S.Pd, MM., Suka Prayanta Pandia, S.Pd., M.PFis., Masroulina Sevtiani, S.Par., M.Par., and Heri Puspito Diyah Setiyorini, MM., Ph.D., with Mrs. Wahyu Yanti, M.Stat, held an engaging training seminar on July 16, 2025, focusing on the advanced topic of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The session attracted both lecturers and postgraduate students, all eager to deepen their understanding of quantitative research techniques. Mrs. Wahyu Yanti illuminated the critical distinctions between Covariance-Based SEM and Partial Least Squares SEM. Covariance-Based SEM is primarily suited for theory testing and model confirmation, as it minimizes discrepancies between observed and predicted covariance matrices. This approach demands large, normally distributed samples. Meanwhile, Partial Least Squares SEM was discussed as a robust alternative for exploratory modeling and theory development, especially when working with limited data or non-normally distributed samples. Mrs. Wahyu Yanti highlighted how this variance-based approach maximizes the explained variance in dependent variables, making it valuable for predictive studies. The seminar underscored SEM’s significance in deciphering complex relationships among variables, particularly in the field of tourism marketing.

Author: Jessica Audrey Marseli