The construct validity of Schein's career anchors orientation inventory

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the construct validity of the measurement model of Schein's Career Orientation Inventory, where entrepreneurship and creativity constitute two separate constructs.Design/methodology/approachA fairly representative sample of 1,847 Israeli working adults completed Schein's Career Anchor Inventory (COI) questionnaire, which probes career anchor constructs through associated indicator items. The data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis to compare the fit of the proposed nine‐construct model with that of Schein's eight‐construct model.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that: the proposed nine‐construct model of the COI, which distinguishes between Entrepreneurship and Creativity and designates each as a separate construct, yields a better fit than Schein's eight‐construct model; and the nine‐construct model has convergent and discriminant validity and unidimensionality.Originality/valueThe study's contributions are threefold: first, it generally supports Schein's Career Anchor Theory, yet with nine anchors rather than with the original eight; second, it confirms the distinction between entrepreneurship and creativity; and third, it highlights the need to rephrase several existing items, and add new ones. The suggested changes and the conceptual framework of the nine‐anchor model will make the COI a more valid and reliable instrument, both for theory‐building and for practical and diagnostic use by career counselors.