A preliminary study to assess the construct validity of a cultural intelligence measure on a South African sample
Date
2014-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Orientation: Cultural intelligence is an essential social competence for effective individual
interaction in a cross-cultural context. The cultural intelligence scale (CQS) is used extensively
for assessing cultural intelligence; nevertheless, its reliability and validity on a South African
sample are yet to be ascertained.
Research purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess the construct validity of
the CQS on a South African sample. The results of the psychometric assessment offer some
important insights into the factor structure of the cultural intelligence construct.
Motivation for the study: The current study sought to provide some practical validity
confirmation of the CQS for the effective management of cultural diversity in the South
African context.
Research approach, design and method: The CQS was administered on a non-probability
sample of 229 young adults in South Africa. Item analysis was performed to ascertain
reliability. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the unidimensionality of CQS
subscales. The first-order and second-order factor structures underlying contemporary
models of cultural intelligence were tested using confirmatory factor analysis.
Main findings: Results indicated that the CQS is a reliable and valid measure of cultural
intelligence as evidenced by the high internal consistency coefficients in all the subscales.
Good construct validity for both the first-order and second-order models was obtained via
confirmatory factor analysis.
Practical/managerial implications: The study finds good measurement properties of the CQS in
a South African context. The CQS can be confidently used for applications such as selecting,
training and developing a more culturally competent workforce.
Contribution: The study extends the body of knowledge on the reliability and construct
validity of the CQS in the South African milieu. It further indicates that cultural intelligence can
be represented by a general cultural intelligence factor that drives more specific dimensions
of cultural intelligence.
Description
CITATION: Mahembe, B. & Engelbrecht, A.S. 2014. A preliminary study to assess the construct validity of a cultural intelligence measure on a South African sample. SA Journal of Human Resource Management / SA Tydskrif van Menslikehulpbronbestuur, 12(1):1-8, doi: 10.4102/sajhrm.v12i1.558.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajhrm.co.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajhrm.co.za
Keywords
Cultural intelligence -- Measurement -- South Africa
Citation
Mahembe, B. & Engelbrecht, A.S. 2014. A preliminary study to assess the construct validity of a cultural intelligence measure on a South African sample. SA Journal of Human Resource Management / SA Tydskrif van Menslikehulpbronbestuur, 12(1):1-8, doi: 10.4102/sajhrm.v12i1.558