Construct validation of leaders’ motivating language in the context of the hotel industries of Bangladesh and Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to validate the motivating language scale developed by Mayfield et al. (1995) in the context of the hotel industries of Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

For Study 1, data were collected from employees (lower and mid-level) of three to five-star hotels in Bangladesh. Customer-contact employees working in four- and five-star hotels in Malaysia participated in Study 2. Both studies featured a cross-sectional survey design.

Findings

Factor analysis revealed that both samples provided three-factor solutions for the motivating language scale in both countries. Convergent, discriminant and nomological validity were assessed by testing with outcome variables of motivating language.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies may use all three versions of the scale (Bengali, Malay and English) to collect data, as all three have been validated.

Originality/value

By validating the Bengali and Malay versions of the motivating language scale, this study contributes to the leadership language literature, specifically that related to hotel industries in developing contexts.

Citation

Rabiul, M.K., Fee Yean, T., Patwary, A.K., Mohamed, A.E. and Hilman, H. (2021), "Construct validation of leaders’ motivating language in the context of the hotel industries of Bangladesh and Malaysia", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 33 No. 8, pp. 2695-2720. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-01-2021-0096