Abstract:
ORIENTATION: Several generational groups are employed in the workplace today, each with
distinctly different attitudes, values and work behaviours. Little is known about how
generational cohorts differ in terms of psychological ownership.
RESEARCH PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the measurement equivalence
of the South African Psychological Ownership Questionnaire (SAPOS) across three generational
cohorts (Baby Boomers, Generation Xers and Generation Yers).
MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Before meaningful inferences and comparisons can be made
about psychological ownership across the generational cohorts, it is essential to ensure
that the psychological ownership scale measures the same trait across all three generational
cohorts.
RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a
convenience sample of 945 skilled respondents employed in various public and private
organisations employing a multigroup confirmatory factorial analytical approach.
MAIN FINDINGS: The tripartite model of the SAPOS, comprising identity, responsibility and
autonomy, was confirmed across the three generational cohort. Measurement invariance was
established on configural, metric and scalar level across the three generational cohorts.
RACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The three generational cohorts perceive the items as
was measured by the psychological ownership scale in the same way. Meaningful
comparisons can thus be made between the groups and organisations can tailor their
interventions to enhance the levels of psychological ownership of each of these generational
cohorts.
CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: This study is one of the first to provide empirical evidence of
generational differences in respect of psychological ownership and to evaluate the measurement
equivalence of a psychological ownership inventory across generational cohorts.
