Assessing the dimensionality of three LMX instruments within a diverse cultural and linguistic context

Multiple versions of the Leader-member exchange (LMX) instruments are widely utilized for exploring the quality of exchange between the leader/supervisor and the employees in leadership studies. Despite widespread usage, validation studies outside the USA are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of three versions of LMX instruments in the South African context. The factor structure, validity, and reliability of the respective versions were explored. The sample comprised of employees from the private (3598) and public (2640) sectors, from 106 organizations, across three independent studies. A three-factor structure was reported for 11 and 12 item instruments, which is different from the original four factor structure. The unidimensional 7 item instrument reported exceptionally good fit. The results of this study are useful for leadership researchers within the South African context, as they can use the LMX instruments with confidence, but it raises a question about the common practice of using foreign developed instruments for research purposes without testing its transferability to that specific context.