Original Research

The development of the MACE work-family enrichment instrument

Marissa de Klerk, Jan Alewyn Nel, Carin Hill, Eileen Koekemoer
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology | Vol 39, No 2 | a1147 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v39i2.1147 | © 2013 Marissa de Klerk, Jan Alewyn Nel, Carin Hill, Eileen Koekemoer | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 May 2013 | Published: 20 November 2013

About the author(s)

Marissa de Klerk, School of Human Resource Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa
Jan Alewyn Nel, School of Human Resource Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa
Carin Hill, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Eileen Koekemoer, School of Human Resource Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa

Abstract

Orientation: An instrument based on a theoretical model is necessary to measure the positive side of the work-family interface.

Research purpose: To develop items for measurement of work-family enrichment based on the elements contained within a theoretical model and to evaluate the latent trait functioning of these items.

Motivation for the study: Major limitations exist regarding the conceptualisation and scale development of the positive side of the work-family interface.

Research design, approach, and method: A quantitative research approach using scale development procedures was employed to develop the 95-item instrument. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data randomly from selected employees; data were processed using Rasch analysis.

Main findings: The five-category scale works well for the most part, although a four-category scale could be considered. Thirty-five items either over-fitted or under-fitted the work-family enrichment model. Person ability was measured in the low to middle ranges of work-family enrichment. Participants’ experience of work-family enrichment could be represented accurately. Sub-scale items displayed misfit, bias or both.

Practical/managerial implications: The developed instrument can be investigated further to identify work-family enrichment factors that can measure workers’ experience of enrichment in their work and family domains.

Contribution/value-add: This study furthers theory building and empirical research in industrial psychology, by developing a new theory-based measuring instrument for the positive side of the work-family interface in the South African context. This study expanded on the model proposed by Greenhaus and Powell, by including all five categories of resources gains. Furthermore, the total of the resources was diversified, since some of the content of these resources encompasses multiple meanings.


Keywords

Work-family enrichment; Family-work enrichment; Scale development; Rasch analysis

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Crossref Citations

1. The influence of simultaneous interference and enrichment in work–family interaction on work-related outcomes
Eileen Koekemoer, Arien Strasheim, Robyn Cross
South African Journal of Psychology  vol: 47  issue: 3  first page: 330  year: 2017  
doi: 10.1177/0081246316682631