Investigating the Validity of the Integrated Measure of Intercultural Sensitivity: Predicting Success in a Multicultural Workplace

Abstract

In response to previous unsuccessful attempts to produce a valid measure of intercultural sensitivity, Weiss (2012) created the Integrated Measure of Intercultural Sensitivity (IMIS). The aim of the current thesis was to examine the validity of an English version of the IMIS. After back-translation of the scale, two studies were conducted. Study 1 tested the construct validity of the IMIS amongst a population of native English speakers. Study 2 investigated the predictive and incremental validity of the IMIS subscales in regard to outcomes relating to success in a multicultural workplace. The results of these two studies reveal that only one subscale is a valid predictor of such outcomes; this subscale did not predict additional variance when compared to existing predictive measures such as the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire and the Cultural Intelligence Scale. The results of these two studies indicate that the IMIS is not a valid measure of intercultural sensitivity; however the potential for a valid measure intercultural sensitivity is emphasized.