Examining psychological ownership measurements in government agencies of Malaysia: Methodology, analysis and comparative results

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1997_AF16.31

Authors: Cheok Mui Yee, Edward Wong Sek Khin, Kamisah Binti Ismail and Jane E. Klobas

Abstract:

This paper compared the result of psychological ownership measurement in public sector organisations of Malaysia. Two stages of field studies were performed to employees from government agencies in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The result showed that Avey, Avolio, Crossley & Luthan’s (2008) measurement demonstrated high item-correlation as compared to Pierce, Kostova & Dirks’s (2001) ones. It also assessed Pierce’s et al. (2001) instrument using interviews. Interviewees responded that they were unable to relate intangible objects as a form of physical possession, which contradicted with Pierce’s et al. (2001) findings. Future researchers were advised to adopt Avey’s et al. (2001) instrument in other developing countries that share similar public administration background to that of Malaysia.

Keywords: psychological ownership, public sector administration, Malaysian working culture.