Validation of a Personality Assessment Tool (TCI-R) in a Cross-cultural Sample of Young Managers

Abstract

We propose a positive psychology approach to the assessment of personality in young international managers using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-R) that is based on Cloninger's biopsychosocial model. In the present study, we first aimed at examining whether there were systematic differences in personality traits as measured by the TCI-R, between international young managers and the population that has until now been used as normative US population. Secondly, we aimed at psychometrically validate the TCI-R in a cross-cultural population of young managers so to provide more appropriate normative data for personality assessment. Methods: 442 MBA students of an international business school in Spain completed the TCI-R. Data were collected between 2012 and 2017. Participants were from 58 nationalities, between the age of 25 and 38. For comparative analysis, we analyzed differences between our sample and US population on each TCI-R personality dimension and subscale. For validation, we analyzed gender, age, and cultural differences on TCI-R dimensions and facets, and we assessed factor structure. Results: We found significant differences between our international MBA sample and US normative data for almost all dimensions of personality. The TCI-R showed good psychometric properties in our international sample. The original TCI-R seven-factor structure was confirmed with good data-fitting. Overall, our findings show that the TCI-R is a valid and reliable tool for personality assessment amongst international young leaders. The results of our study offer relevant insights that might be useful for educational purposes, namely MBA programs. In particular, we believe that they could contribute to developing positive leadership competencies.