Measuring Cultural Awareness and Belonging in an Organization

Abstract

This study presents the development and validation of a quantitative instrument designed to measure cultural awareness and belonging within the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organizations. The Cultural Awareness and Belonging Survey (CABS) aims to fill the research gap by offering a reliable tool for assessing these constructs. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as the theory of generative interactions, the CABS survey was constructed with three initial dimensions: Embrace, Engage, and Enact. Data were collected from 403 U.S.-based participants using a cross-sectional survey design. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated a two-dimensional model consisting of Embrace and Enact, with strong internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = .91 for Embrace and .91 for Enact). The fit indices (CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.05, SRMR = 0.02) confirmed the robustness of the measurement model. The findings suggest that cultural awareness and belonging are critical factors in organizational performance and psychological safety, with practical implications for DEI initiatives. This study contributes a validated tool for organizations to understand better and enhance their DEI efforts, fostering a more inclusive workplace environment.