Longitudinal study of perceived environmental uncertainty. An application of Rasch methodology to SMES

PurposeThis work develops a longitudinal analysis of perceived environmental uncertainty applying the Rasch methodology (1960). The environmental uncertainty is defined as an individual's perceived inability to predict the environment accurately (Milliken, 1987). The study focuses on analysing the state uncertainty from the perspective of the information and under the cognitive approach to the business reality.Design/methodology/approachRasch measurement theory (1960) is applied, specifically the differential item functioning analysis based on the responses to a survey of SMEs.FindingsThe main sources of uncertainty for all the SMEs in the sample are two sectors in their general environment: economic and political-legal ones. These segments are the only ones in the environment that generate uncertainty that in 2016 is significantly different from that in 2019, being lower in the latter year.Originality/valueThis is a pioneering analysis of uncertainty both for its longitudinal nature and the methodology applied.