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Informal workplace learning: Development and validation of a measure
Author(s) -
Decius Julian,
Schaper Niclas,
Seifert Andreas
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
human resource development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1532-1096
pISSN - 1044-8004
DOI - 10.1002/hrdq.21368
Subject(s) - conscientiousness , scale (ratio) , psychology , measure (data warehouse) , discriminant validity , process (computing) , nomological network , computer science , artificial intelligence , social psychology , machine learning , psychometrics , structural equation modeling , big five personality traits , personality , data mining , developmental psychology , internal consistency , extraversion and introversion , operating system , quantum mechanics , physics
Informal workplace learning (IWL) is an important part of work‐related continuing education, especially in the case of blue‐collar workers. The current article presents a new measure of IWL, which we developed based on the already existing Dynamic Model of Informal Learning by Tannenbaum et al. (2010). We extended the model to eight components by theoretical considerations, introducing a second‐order structure. Each component is represented on the IWL scale with three items, the subscales have sound internal consistencies ( α range between .76 and .92). The article also presents a short version of the scale comprising eight items ( α = .79). Study 1 describes the process of item selection, while Study 2 deals with different theoretically conceivable models comparing their model fits. The predicted model with eight factors in a second‐order structure achieves the best model fit. In addition, convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity are demonstrated. Medium‐sized relationships of IWL components to conscientiousness and learning outcomes confirm the nomological network we developed previously in our study. The discussion provides limitations and possible scientific and practical applications of the IWL scale, for example, the transfer of the measure to other contexts and target groups.