A cross-cultural examination of the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory

This study examined the factor structure and other psychometric properties of the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI) with a sample of Canadian (N = 144) and two samples of Japanese undergraduates (N = 144, N = 204). The three-factor solution generally supported Kirtonʹs three subscales (Originality, Rule/Group Conformity, Efficiency) but accounted for only 23–35% of the variance. There was some support for Kirtonʹs view that females are more adaptive than males. Cross-national comparisons of KAI scores and factors were made between the present samples and those reported in the literature from the U.S.A., Italy, and Great Britain among other countries. These comparisons showed moderate to strong support for Kirtonʹs three-factor structure and the utility of the inventory. Several recommendations are presented to improve the psychometric properties of the KAI and the usefulness of studies in this area.