Psychometric properties of the Gabonese version of the horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism scale among employees

ABSTRACT

The horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism (HV-IC) scale is one of the most used to assess individualism and collectivism (IC), but its factorial structure is more discussed. In the context of this debate, this paper presents two studies that establish the psychometric properties of a French version of the HV-IC scale among Gabonese employees. In study 1, a principal component factor analyses (N = 344) conducted with statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software indicated that the four-factor replicated well with fewer items than the initial version (reduced from 32 to 21 items). In study 2, a confirmatory factor analyses (N = 293) using Amos software provided satisfactory goodness of fit after minor modifications in the covariances between errors: X² (181) = 305.30, p = .000; goodness of fit index (GFI) = .91; comparative fit index (CFI) = .90; and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = .05 (confidence interval [.04, .06]). The findings indicated that the Gabonese version of the HV-IC scale is a valid, reliable measure with a solid theoretical base. This study offers African French researchers a valid measurement tool and, consequently, a new methodological approach with which to build a better understanding of the cultural orientation of employees at work. Our results contribute to the debate about the cross-cultural validation of the scale.

KEYWORDS:

• Individualism/collectivism
• psychometric properties
• Gabon

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Nadie Judicaelle Pambo is a Gabonese psychologist who is completing a PhD in social organizational psychology at the University of Franche-Comté, France, where she currently resides. Her research interests lie in the relation between national and corporate culture and their effects on negotiation strategies, behaviours, and cultural values at work.

Didier Truchot is a professor at the University of Franche-Comté, France with expertise in social and organizational psychology. He has written a book about the burnout syndrome: Epuisement professionnel et burnout.

Dominique Ansel is an associate professor at the University of Franche-Comté, France with expertise in social psychology. His research focuses on affect, uncertainty, and decision-making.