A perspective on scale development in entrepreneurship research

Abstract

To develop a measurement scale that would lead to valid and reliable results is a challenging process in any research field. The aim of this paper is to propose guidelines for scale development in entrepreneurship research. We build from theoretical findings that are advanced in the measurement and scale development theory and from a research on measurement issues in entrepreneurship journals. In doing so we review scale development procedures of measures reported in top-tier entrepreneurship journal during the last two years. The in-depth review showed that not all steps in scale development in entrepreneurship research are always accomplished although every step is crucial when aiming for a sound measure. Additionally, the study showed that all too often measures, that have not been validated, are being used. These findings serve as the basis for proposing a ten-step methodology for scale development in entrepreneurship research.

Keywords

• scale development
• measurement procedure
• reliability
• validity
• entrepreneurship
• construct