Validation of the trust relationship audit (TRA): An item parcelling approach

Abstract

This study sought to apply an item parcelling approach to confirm the factor structure of trust in the direct supervisor as measured by the trust relationship audit (TRA). The researchers analysed an existing data set on the TRA from 9 060 South African employees. For the analysis, the researchers utilised structural equation modelling, using item parcelling to confirm the factor structure. The results confirm that, in essence, the large sample structural model replicates the original small sample model, consisting of separate personality and managerial practices factors as antecedents of trust in supervisors. Two items measuring personality traits loaded differently in the small and the combined sample. The results suggest item parcelling to be a value-add in measure validation when data mining.

Keywords:

• interpersonal trust
• item parcelling
• item language
• managerial practices
• personality

ORCID

Nico Martins http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6583-5215

Hartmut von der Ohe http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6103-0217

Notes

1 As the strictest criteria were followed and no values were replaced by means, and because a listwise deletion of missing values was followed, each subsample or item parcel will have a unique n value. Sample sizes for specific analytical procedures in the traditional sense cannot be calculated, as the missing value patterns in the data matrix differ for each item combination.