General vs. Specific-referent Instruments to Measure Training Transfer in a Transportation Organization in Canada

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed transfer, as measured by different instruments, and its relation to some of the factors that have been related to transfer in a Canadian transportation organization. Transfer was measured cross-sectionally through the application of three scales to short-distance truck drivers. Transfer was perceived as higher when a general rather than a specific transfer instrument was applied, implying that the choice of instrument could influence the results. This highlights the relevance of instrument selection in the design of studies. Additionally, while correlations between satisfaction with the training, content relevance and motivation to transfer and transfer differed with different instruments, the correlation between accountability and transfer did not. Contrary to the trend of using a single measure of transfer, this study provides empirical evidence of the transfer construct as measured through different instruments. This evidence can be useful in research methods on training transfer to understand better the construct and its operationalization. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Keywords

• training transfer
• predicting transfer
• measurement instruments
• general vs. specific transfer
• human resource development