Affiliations: Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services
Research and Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Human Science and Faculty of
Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Anika Nitzsche, Institute for
Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR),
Faculty of Human Science and Medicine, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129,
Cologne 50933, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to describe the
theoretical development and initial validation of the newly developed Work-Life
Balance Culture Scale (WLBCS), an instrument for measuring an organizational
culture that promotes the work-life balance of employees. METHODS: In
Study 1 (N=498), the scale was developed and its factorial validity tested
through exploratory factor analyses. In Study 2 (N=513), confirmatory
factor analysis (CFA) was performed to examine model fit and retest the
dimensional structure of the instrument. To assess construct validity, a priori
hypotheses were formulated and subsequently tested using correlation analyses. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a
one-factor model. Results of the bivariate correlation analyses may be
interpreted as preliminary evidence of the scale's construct validity. CONCLUSION: The five-item WLBCS is a new and efficient instrument with good
overall quality. Its conciseness makes it particularly suitable for use in
employee surveys to gain initial insight into a company's perceived work-life balance culture.
