This paper offers a critical rejoinder in the discussion concerning the viability of self-construal scales. It is our contention that the existing data reported in our previous article (Levine et al., 2003) and elsewhere are more than sufficient to justify the conclusion that self-report scales purporting to measure interdependent and independent self-construals as 2 orthogonal constructs lack validity. The arguments to the contrary offered by Gudykunst and Lee (2003) and Kim and Raja (2003) are disputed. Additional data (N = 1,013) show that neither age, occupation, sample size, standardization, nor a 2nd-order structure can account for the problems we documented previously. Although we see potential utility in the self-construal construct, we believe that the 3 primary scales fail to meet reasonable and accepted social scientific standards. Difficult conceptual problems will need to be solved prior to the development of new and improved measures.

Relationships among subordinates' feedback-seeking strategy preferences, Leader-Member Exchange (LMX), social cost, and source credibility were examined. Employees (N = 134) of civil engineering companies in South Korea completed a questionnaire. Findings showed that LMX quality, social cost, and source credibility either independently or jointly influenced subordinates' feedback-seeking strategy preferences. LMX was positively related to preference for using direct strategies, but not significantly related to preferences for using indirect strategies and for using third-party strategies. As moderators, increases in social cost and source credibility were associated with changes in the relationship between LMX and preference for third-party strategies. More detailed explanations and implications of these findings are discussed.

No abstract

No abstract