The competence-reflection-inventory (CRI)—Development and first psychometric validation of an instrument for measuring the self-concept of competence.

Abstract

This article in the journal “Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation.” (GIO) deals with the Competence-Reflection-Inventory (KRI), that measures the self-concept of competence. The questionnaire consists of 80 items which can be answered within 20 min. Separate factor analyses (N = 156) identified the following scales for professional competence: conceptual thinking, organizational/process knowledge, problem perception, and solution development; for methodological competence: presentation, scheduling, reflectivity, EDP/technology handling, concentration, and task assignment, for social competence: positioning one’s point of view, motivating others, acceptance/acknowledgement, initiation/maintenance of contacts, and considerateness, and for personal competence: participation, assuming responsibility/initiative, interest in change, and self management. These scales were largely replicated in a second sample (N = 368). In addition, confirmatory factor analyses supported categorization of the 19 scales into the four facets professional, methodological, social, and personal competence. The following moderate to medium positive correlations between the competence scales and (1) professional success, (2) gross annual income, (3) job satisfaction, and (4) task characteristics relevant for learning, can be interpreted as evidence for validity. Trainings with two partial samples indicated that the KRI is susceptible to change. In sum, the KRI was validated concerning central psychometric properties. It thus enables standardized and economic assessment of the self concept of work-related competence.