The motivation to achieve in Singapore: In search of a core construct

Abstract

It was hypothesized that, when measured as an intrinsic need rather than as an inference from actual achievement and/or achievement-related images, the motivation to achieve may be a transcultural construct. The Work and Family Orientation Scale (WOFO) developed by Helmreich and Spence (1978) was used to tap this intrinsic need. A series of surveys were conducted in Singapore with four samples of students and employed workers, making up a total sample size of 1147. Factor analyses of the results with PROMAX rotation revealed three oblique factors similar in content to those of reported U.S. data. Comparison of the factor structure from subsamples in Singapore revealed good reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis between results from Singapore and those of Helmreich and Spence (1978) showed a high degree of correspondence. LISREL modeling indicated that this three-dimensional model: work ethics, mastery and competition, is an appropriate model for the Singaporean data. Predictive validity of WOFO was established by differentiating two groups of students with varied achievement levels. Convergent validity was supported by correlations with the Social and Individual-Oriented Achievement Scale developed in Taiwan especially for the Chinese. Cross-cultural similarity of the underlying construct was discussed. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.