A reliability generalization meta-analysis of job insecurity scales: Evidence from hospitality and tourism research

The study examines the pooled reliability estimates of job insecurity (JI) scales employed in hospitality and tourism (H&T) research. By synthesizing reported reliability coefficients and identifying moderators influencing score consistency, this meta-analytic study consolidates the fragmented psychometric evidence in the field. Reliability coefficients were derived from 140 independent samples comprising 56,265 respondents. Pooled reliability estimates were calculated separately for each scale, and moderator analyses were performed to explain the variability. Findings indicate that De Witte's (2000) scale is the most frequently utilized scale. Pienaar et al.’s (2013) scale yielded the highest estimate (α=.94, 95% CI [.89.,97]), whereas Hellgren and Sverke's (2003) scale demonstrated the lowest (α=.82, 95% CI [.78.,85]). Moderator analyses revealed that scale version, publication year, number of items, sample size, scale mean, and gender distribution significantly influenced reliability estimates. The study provides robust, context-dependent evidence to inform the selection of JI scales.