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Implicit leadership theories in applied settings: factor structure, generalizability, and stability over time
Olga Epitropaki1, Robin Martin
1School of Psychology, Athens Laboratory of Business Administration (ALBA), Athens, Greece. oepitrop@alba.edu.gr
The Journal of Applied Psychology
|April 7, 2004
Summary
This study validated a shorter Implicit Leadership Theories (ILTs) scale, finding a consistent 6-factor structure across diverse employee groups. ILTs demonstrated stability over time in organizational settings.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Leadership Studies
Background:
- Implicit Leadership Theories (ILTs) influence leadership perceptions and effectiveness.
- Existing ILT scales require validation and refinement for diverse organizational contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- Cross-validate a shorter Implicit Leadership Theories (ILTs) scale.
- Assess the generalizability of ILTs across employee groups.
- Evaluate the temporal stability of ILTs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two independent samples (N1=500, N2=439) for scale validation.
- Employed factor analysis to determine the underlying structure of ILTs.
- Assessed factorial invariance across different employee groups and over time.
Main Results:
- A 6-factor structure (Sensitivity, Intelligence, Dedication, Dynamism, Tyranny, Masculinity) best represented ILTs.
- The 6-factor structure showed consistency across employee groups, with partial factorial invariance.
- Analysis of temporal change (gamma, beta, alpha) supported the stability of ILTs over time.
Conclusions:
- The validated shorter ILT scale is a reliable measure in organizational settings.
- While the ILT structure is generalizable, complete factorial invariance across groups was not fully supported.
- Implicit Leadership Theories exhibit significant stability within organizations over time.