A confirmatory factor analytic study of a self-leadership measure in South Africa
Date
2013-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Orientation: Self-leadership is considered to be essential for effective individual functioning
in occupational and academic contexts. The revised self-leadership questionnaire (RSLQ) is
widely utilised for measuring self-leadership, but its psychometric properties have not been
established on a South African sample. By implication, important questions also exist about
the theoretical structure of self-leadership in the South African context.
Research purpose: The research aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and factorial
validity of the revised self-leadership questionnaire on a South African sample. In doing so,
the results of the research would also provide valuable insights into the latent factor structure
of the self-leadership construct.
Motivation for the study: On a practical level, the research sought internal validity evidence
for the use of the RSLQ in the South African context. On a theoretical level, questions remain
about the best conceptual representation of self-leadership as a construct.
Research design, approach and method: The revised self-leadership questionnaire was
administered to a non-probability sample of 375 South African young adults. The first and
second-order factor structure underlying contemporary models of self-leadership using
confirmatory factor analytic techniques was tested.
Main findings: Results showed that the RSLQ measured self-leadership with suitable
reliability and internal validity. All eight subscales had high internal consistency coefficients.
Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the first and second-order models conclusively
demonstrated good factorial validity.
Practical/managerial implications: The study found that the RSLQ has good measurement
properties for a South African context. Academics, practitioners and managers are urged
to use the measure in its present form for applications such as leadership development and
promoting self-management.
Contribution/value-addition: The study extends the body of psychometric evidence supporting
the use of the revised self-leadership questionnaire in the South African milieu. The researchers
have further indicated that self-leadership can be represented by a hierarchical latent factor
structure, where a general factor drives more specific dimensions of self-leadership.
Description
CITATION: Mahembe, B., Engelbrecht, A.S. & De Kock, F.S. 2013. A confirmatory factor analytic study of a self-leadership measure in South Africa. SA Journal of Human Resource Management / SA Tydskrif van Menslikehulpbronbestuur, 11(1): 1-10, doi: 10.4102/sajhrm.v11i1.520.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajhrm.co.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajhrm.co.za
Keywords
Self-leadership -- Measurement -- South Africa -- Evaluation, Leadership -- Psychological aspects, Self-actualization (Psychology), Self-management (Psychology), Psychometrics, Psychological tests -- South Africa -- Evaluation, Questionnaires -- South Africa -- Evaluation, Factor analysis
Citation
Mahembe, B., Engelbrecht, A.S. & De Kock, F.S. 2013. A confirmatory factor analytic study of a self-leadership measure in South Africa. SA Journal of Human Resource Management / SA Tydskrif van Menslikehulpbronbestuur, 11(1): 1-10, doi: 10.4102/sajhrm.v11i1.520