A cross-cultural comparison of the factor structure of the Job Descriptive Index

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a cross-cultural factor analytic study done on the subscales of the Job Descriptive Index (JDI). The subjects, who consisted of 731 white and 203 black students from the University of South Africa (a distance teaching university whose students are mainly in full-time employment), represented a broad spectrum of working positions. Exploratory factor analyses with oblique rotation of solutions were performed on the responses to the items of five subscales. Factor analyses were performed separately for each of the two groups and the various factor solutions were interpreted for meaningfulness and similarity in meaning across the two groups. The two groups were compared and blacks were found to have scored lower on the subscales 'Salary', 'Supervision' and 'People'. These findings could impact on labour relations agreements and current practices in organisations, and companies should therefore take note of such perspectives when implementing accelerated interventions.