Goal Orientation (VandeWalle)
HR & WorkReliability: Learning alpha 0.89; Prove alpha 0.85; Avoid alpha 0.883 sample items
About this scale
A 13-item measure of three goal-orientation dimensions in the work domain: learning, prove-performance, and avoid-performance. Strongly used in training, feedback-seeking, and performance research.
Sample item(s)
“I am willing to select a challenging work assignment that I can learn a lot from. (learning)”
“I'm concerned with showing that I can perform better than my coworkers. (prove)”
“I would avoid taking on a new task if there was a chance that I would appear rather incompetent to others. (avoid)”
Reliability
Reported internal consistency: Learning alpha 0.89; Prove alpha 0.85; Avoid alpha 0.88. As a rule of thumb, Cronbach’s α ≥ .70 is considered acceptable, ≥ .80 good, and ≥ .90 excellent for established measures.
Notes
Most replicated three-factor goal-orientation measure in management research.
Source & citation
VandeWalle, D. (1997): Development and validation of a work domain goal orientation instrument. Educational and Psychological Measurement, Vol. 57, No. 6, pp. 995–1015.
VandeWalle (1997): Work domain goal orientation instrument. EPM, 57(6), 995–1015.
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
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