Work Values Inventory (WVI)
Measures an individual's work-related values and preferences across 15 distinct dimensions.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Work Values Inventory (WVI) was developed by Donald E. Super (adapted by Sidney B. Simon, Leland W. Howe, and Howard Kirschenbaum) (1972). It is designed to measure Work Values. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents and adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 45 items organized into 15 factors/subscales: Creativity, Management, Achievement, Surroundings, Supervisory Relations, Way of Life, Security, Associates, Esthetics, Prestige, Independence, Variety, Economic Return, Altruism, Intellectual Stimulation.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Creativity | 15,16,45 | 3 |
| Management | 14,24,37 | 3 |
| Achievement | 13,17,44 | 3 |
| Surroundings | 12,25,36 | 3 |
| Supervisory Relations | 11,18,43 | 3 |
| Way of Life | 10,26,35 | 3 |
| Security | 9,19,42 | 3 |
| Associates | 8,27,34 | 3 |
| Esthetics | 7,20,41 | 3 |
| Prestige | 6,28,33 | 3 |
| Independence | 5,21,40 | 3 |
| Variety | 4,29,32 | 3 |
| Economic Return | 3,22,39 | 3 |
| Altruism | 2,30,31 | 3 |
| Intellectual Stimulation | 1,23,38 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Unimportant, 2 = Of Little Importance, 3 = Moderately Important, 4 = Important, 5 = Very Important.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 3 to 15. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Importance: 3 – 6
- Moderate Importance: 7 – 11
- High Importance: 12 – 15
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.