# 31. GSCA

## Purpose

How do supply-chain capabilities combine into resilience and performance in a component model?

## Practice study

- File: [supply-chain-component-model.csv](../samples/supply-chain-component-model.csv)
- Prepared project: [supply-chain-gsca.qpls](../projects/supply-chain-gsca.qpls)
- Observations: 360
- Data type: deterministic synthetic instructional data
- Complexity: a realistic multi-construct model with multi-item measurement blocks

## Exact procedure

1. Start QuickPLS and choose **Open Project**. Select [supply-chain-gsca.qpls](../projects/supply-chain-gsca.qpls). This prepared teaching project contains the exact dataset, analysis-ready component model, bindings, and a saved layout verified with the installed 2.62.8 GSCA route.

2. Open **Data** and confirm **supply-chain-component-model.csv** contains 360 observations. Return to **Model**. The linked CSV remains available separately for inspection and re-import practice.

   ![GSCA sample data](../screenshots/gsca/01-data-ready.png)

3. Confirm that the prepared model contains these constructs and measurement blocks: Visibility, Flexibility, Collaboration, Resilience, and Performance using their matching three- or four-indicator blocks.

   Confirm these saved structural paths: Visibility → Flexibility; Visibility, Flexibility, and Collaboration → Resilience; Collaboration and Resilience → Performance.

4. The prepared project already contains a saved, neatly arranged model layout. Do not choose **Arrange** or otherwise change the canvas before this tutorial calculation. If you later edit the model, arrange it once and save the edited project before calculating.

   ![GSCA prepared model or variable roles](../screenshots/gsca/02-arranged-model.png)

5. Choose **Validate** and confirm there are no blockers. Do not save the unchanged prepared project; save only after you intentionally edit it.

6. Use **Calculate → GSCA**.

   ![GSCA calculation setup](../screenshots/gsca/03-calculation-setup.png)

7. Complete the method-specific settings:

- Keep the bounded ALS/convergence defaults for the first run

8. Read **Readiness**, leave **Open Results when finished** selected, and choose **Start calculation** once. Wait for **Completed**; do not close the project while the result is being saved.

9. In **Results**, confirm **GSCA** is selected and inspect these outputs in order:

1. Fit summary
2. Component weights and loadings
3. Structural estimates
4. Residual and fit chart

   ![GSCA primary result](../screenshots/gsca/04-results-primary.png)

   ![GSCA secondary result](../screenshots/gsca/05-results-secondary.png)

10. Choose **Save Report** to preserve the exact result. Use **Export** for the needed table/report format. Close and reopen the project once and confirm the saved result remains selectable.

## Reading guidance

- The data are deterministic synthetic teaching data. They are suitable for reproducing the workflow, not for substantive publication claims.