Validation d’une mesure d’orientations envers les buts au travail auprès de participants à une évaluation du potentiel et des compétences

Abstract

IntroductionGoal orientations are a characteristic of the personality explaining different reactions in achievement and learning situations. So far, no French instrument exists to measure this variable in a professional context. ObjectiveThe purpose of this article is to validate a French translation of the VandeWalle instrument (1997) measuring goal orientation at work, with a sample of workers participating in a potential and skills assessment (PSA). MethodThe instrument has been translated using the parallel-blind method suggested by Usunier (1992) and adapted by Lauzier and Haccoun (2010). Confirmatory factorial analyses were conducted to verify the factor structure of the translated version and correlational analyses were performed to assess its nomological validity. The study was conducted with workers (n=263) from various organizational backgrounds who were subjected to a PSA. ResultsThe three-dimensional factor structure of the Work Goal Orientation Scale (WGOS), consistent with the one proposed by VandeWalle (1997), shows a good fit to the data. The learning, performance-approach and performance-avoidance orientations mainly show the expected associations with three correlates: self-esteem, the anticipated benefits of the PSA and the intention to develop one's skills following the feedback. ConclusionThe measure has a satisfactory nomological validity and can be used to study people's reactions towards learning situations in the workplace.