Psychometric evaluation of a leadership empowerment questionnaire in selected organisations in South Africa / Desiree Zikalala

Abstract

The world of work has become extremely volatile, with the scarcity of skills and the management of human capital at the top of the agenda. Human capital is the most valuable asset in any organisation. It is evident that leadership is vital in organisations in ensuring their success; thus making leadership empowerment behaviour crucial. It is essential that our leaders become people developers who focus on growing and up skilling subordinates as a way of attracting and retaining talent. It is important that leaders create an enabling environment for their subordinates; one of independence, innovation and, more importantly, growth and development. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the leadership empowerment questionnaire by investigating internal consistency; furthermore investigating the differences between genders regarding male and female perceptions of leadership empowerment behaviour. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used. The measuring battery comprised the Leadership Empowerment Behaviour Questionnaire (LEBQ), which is originally a six-factor structure. The analysis was carried out using the IBM-SPSS and Mplus statistical modelling programs. Reliability was explored by utilising the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) index (rho). Construct validity was assessed by examining the factor structure, utilising the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the CFA. Satisfactory reliability indices were attained. A three-factor model of the LEBQ was confirmed. The three-factor model consists of autonomy, development and accountability. Measurement invariance was tested by the use of configural, scalar and metric invariance. The configural model concluded that the three-factor structure obtained for the total sample also holds for the two groups (Males & Females) of respondents separately. The metric model indicates that the latent variables are measured in the same way with the same metric in the two target groups. The Scalar model indicates that on these three items, males and females differ regarding their starting points in their response to these questions. Although there were differences in the starting points of certain items, there were no real differences evident in the overall model regarding males and females. Recommendations for further research were made.

MA (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015