Motivation to lead in Japan: validation of a Japanese version of the motivation to lead scale

Satoshi Tanaka; Kai Hatano; Megumi Ikeda; Jun Nakahara

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1328593

Motivation to lead in Japan: validation of a Japanese version of the motivation to lead scale

Front Psychol. 2024 Jan 12:14:1328593. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1328593. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Satoshi Tanaka¹, Kai Hatano², Megumi Ikeda³, Jun Nakahara¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Business, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.
² Graduate School of Sustainable System Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan.
³ Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the motivation to lead (MTL) scale consisting of three factors-affective-identity MTL, non-calculative MTL, and social-normative MTL-and examine its construct validity and reliability.

Methods: The participants comprised 500 university students and 500 employees aged 20-29 years registered with a Japanese research company.

Results: Based on a confirmatory factor analysis, the three-factor model was found to be appropriate for the Japanese context. The measurement invariance analyses indicated scalar invariance between students and employees and between men and women. Finally, the correlation analysis with the Big Five personality traits conducted to examine construct validity indicated that affective-identity MTL and social-normative MTL had significant relationships with all five traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, open-mindedness, and negative emotionality). Although non-calculative MTL was not significantly correlated, it can be interpreted in the Japanese context.

Discussion: The results indicate the adequate construct validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the MTL scale. These findings hold significant implications for leadership development and selection in Japan, highlighting the motivational factors that drive effective leadership.

Keywords: Japan; leadership; measurement invariance; motivation to lead; validation.

Grants and funding

The authors declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was supported by the Dentsu Scholarship Foundation, Tokyo, Japan [Research fund to Rikkyo University 2020–2022].