An international study of the psychometric properties of the Hofstede Values Survey Module 1994: A comparison of individual and country/province level results

Hofstede's Values Survey Module has been the basis for much cross-cultural and cross-national research in the workplace, but little information about its psychometric properties has been available. This study provides interna l consistency (coefficient alpha) statistics from samples representing 23 n ations/provinces. Across both English and translated versions, internal con sistencies tended to be poor, and in the majority of cases failed to achiev e even a liberal criterion of 0.60. Even when data were aggregated by sampl e coefficient alphas were poor for all but long-term orientation. At the pa rticipant level, long-term orientation and individualism had marginal inter nal consistencies, whereas power distance, masculinity, and uncertainty avo idance subscales had inadequate internal consistencies. A replication of Ho fstede's ecological factor analysis failed to support the five subscales. I t is suggested that the construct validity of these scales is suspect, and that they should be used with caution.