Conceptual models are business tools that represent a system and describe the flow of operations and information through various departments and players within an institution. As a result, these models assist managers in overseeing system development life cycles, organizing workflows and ensuring effective and efficient execution of initiatives. A conceptual model explains the relationships between different variables and their interactions to achieve predetermined objectives. Thus, the properties of variables play a major role in determining the outcomes. The following passages explain the associations of independent, dependent, and control variables in conceptual models and provide a description of the variables highlighted in the featured conceptual model.
Conceptual models constitute dependent, independent, and control variables. Independent variables refer to the factors not affected by changes in other components within a conceptual model (Rashid & Uddin, 2021). As a result, individuals designing the model can manipulate these variables as they see fit to realize certain outcomes after implementing the system initiatives. On the other hand, dependent variables are components whose features are influenced by independent variables, causing them to fluctuate under variable conditions (Gupta & Nair, 2021). Control variables are elements used to enhance or decrease the influence of independent variables on dependent components (Stevens & Collins, 2021). Hence, individuals implementing a model can alter independent variables and introduce control variables to achieve particular system goals and increase their chances of succeeding.
The featured conceptual model presents several variables that fall in the categories of dependent, independent, and control variables. The independent variables included in the model are customer service, security, customization, website design, fulfillment, reliability, and informativeness. In an organizational setting, managers can influence the quality of these attributes to obtain better results from activities and improve workflows (Rashid & Uddin, 2021). The dependent variables include e-service quality, customer satisfaction, and purchase intention. Finally, the conceptual model presents trustworthiness as its control variable.
The independent variables describe the attributes of the model that its developers should prioritize to achieve positive outcomes. Systems managers can achieve higher levels of the factors highlighted in the dependent variables by enhancing the quality of the independent elements (Gupta & Nair, 2021). For example, ensuring that the dependent variables reach desirable levels, which means providing high-quality customer services, ascertaining enhanced security and privacy, web customization, and a good design can help achieve better e-service provision and increase customer satisfaction. However, the control variable plays a major role since a culture of trustworthiness can attract and retain more consumers (Stevens & Collins, 2021). Therefore, although the system can function as expected without the control viable, it serves to enhance the influence of independent components.
A conceptual model offers a comprehensive guide on how to structure initiatives to achieve the best outcomes. Apart from describing the system requirements, it can allow developers to evaluate their plans and check whether the model can meet its goals. Moreover, they are critical in structuring relevant relationships between various variables to avoid limitations and prepare for challenges. Therefore, a detailed conceptual model is critical for successful project formulation, viability analysis, and strategic planning as it informs shareholders of what to prioritize and how to ensure the best results. Nevertheless, it is critical to differentiate between the control variables, dependent attributes, and independent factors to ensure the system’s appropriate functioning and the expected outcomes.
References
Gupta, R., & Nair, K. (2021). A Conceptual Model for Promotion on Digital Platforms.Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 27, 1-21. Web.
Rashid, M. A., & Uddin, M. S. (2021). Analysis of a Conceptual Model and Assessment of the e-Procurement System in Bangladesh.Journal of Computer and Communications, 9(11), 64-76. Web.
Stevens, A. L., & Collins, A. (2021). Multiple conceptual models of a complex system. In Aptitude, learning, and instruction (pp. 177-198). Routledge.