The Decent Work Questionnaire: adaptation and validation of the Spanish version

Abstract

Purpose The growing attention to business ethics, integrity and respect for human rights at work has become increasingly relevant. Decent work is an important concept representing the promotion of human rights at work and business, the fulfilling and productive work maintained with social dialogue. This study aims to present the adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Decent Work Questionnaire (DWQ), allowing the decent work assessment in Spanish. Initially developed and validated for Portuguese-speaking countries, the DWQ’s Italian version was also recently adapted and validated. Design/methodology/approach The 31-item scale was applied to a sample of 1,528 Spanish high-skilled workers. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. Convergent and discriminant validity was tested, examining the links of the DWQ to Work Engagement and Burnout measures. Findings CFA confirmed the original higher-order model with seven factors, a very good model fit and good internal consistency reliability (α = 0.94). Statistical analyzes also supported its convergent and discriminant validity. Originality/value The results confirmed the DWQ’s Spanish version as a reliable and valid multidimensional measurement tool and strengthened it as a good cross-cultural measure of decent work.

Promotion, public policies and decent work: how to foster community cohesion and common vision?

“…The research on respect for human rights at work, integrity of employees, safety and security at workplace, voice behaviour in organizational research (Huang et al , 2020), the fulfilling and productive work maintained with social dialogue (Ferraro et al , 2023), the psychological impact of adequate compensation (Çolakoğlu and Toygar, 2021), the causal relationships between talent management, decent work and national well-being (Anlesinya et al , 2021), the informal working (Fajana, 2008), the care work done by volunteers (Haubner, 2023) are few examples of the concept of decent work that can be enhanced by a focus on the lived experience of the individual worker (Brill, 2021). However, multi-facetted research addressing how decent work is facing challenges in developing countries requires further investigation in political economy, international development, organizational behaviour, human resources management, psychology and communication.…”