The equivalence of single-item scales of psychic distance: A test in Brazil

Authors

  • Otavio Figueiredo Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
  • Angela da Rocha Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
  • Jorge Ferreira da Silva Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Despite the broad acceptance of the concept of psychic distance, problems related to measuring the construct have persisted in empirical studies. Although researchers have developed and used a variety of instruments, no study has, thus far, concerned itself with making a comparative evaluation for the purpose of assessing their equivalence. The present study sought to evaluate several single-item scales to measure psychic distance as a summary construct. Four data collection instruments in the literature were identified, and applied to a final sample of 365 university students. Approximately one fourth of the sample answered each questionnaire. A range of statistical tests were carried out in order to identify the features of the respective instruments as well as to assess their equivalence and validity. The results enabled to compare features and showed that only two of the instruments produced equivalent results. All of the scales correlated strongly; however, the performance of the scales in the tests did vary. The Stöttinger and Schlegelmilch (1998) scale has the capacity to be used with a greater range of statistical tests and presented superior results in practically all of the tests carried out. It is the scale recommended to researchers wishing to utilize single-item measures of psychic distance.

Key words: psychic distance, measurement scales, summary construct, single-item scales.

Author Biographies

Otavio Figueiredo, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Professor Adjunto da área de Marketing do Instituto Coppead, Coordenador do Mestrado

Angela da Rocha, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Professora Associada da área de Marketing; Coordenadora do NUPIN - Núcleo de Pesquisas em Negócios Internacionais da PUC-Rio

Jorge Ferreira da Silva, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Professor Associado da área de Estratégia; Coordenador da Pós-graduação em Administração da PUC-Rio.

Downloads

Published

2012-07-23

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2012): oct/dec

Section

Articles

License

I grant the journal BASE the first publication of my article, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license (which allows sharing of work, recognition of authorship and initial publication in this journal).

I confirm that my article is not being submitted to another publication and has not been published in its entirely on another journal. I take full responsibility for its originality and I will also claim responsibility for charges from claims by third parties concerning the authorship of the article.

I also agree that the manuscript will be submitted according to the journal’s publication rules described above.