Individual accountability in organizations: Scale development and validation

The present multi-study research investigation was designed to examine the conceptualization and measurement of the accountability construct, and to provide scale development and validation evidence for the Individual Accountability in Organizations Scale (IAOS). The results of the studies are reported that demonstrate consistency of the factor structure across studies, construct validity, and criterion-related validity of the IAOS. As hypothesized, a three-factor structure emerged from factor analyses to reflect the multidimensional nature of the IAOS in Study 1. In Study 2, the convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated for the IAOS by showing that it was positively related to political skill, core self-evaluations, internal locus of control, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion, as well as negatively related to trait and state anxiety and negative affect. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are provided.