Psychometric Validation of the Leadership Style Questionnaire in Ethiopian TVET Colleges: Evidence from the Amhara Region

Leadership instruments developed in Western contexts require rigorous validation before application in developing countries. The Leadership Style Questionnaire (LSQ) measures task- and relation-oriented leadership (TOL and ROL) behaviors, but researchers have not systematically validated its psychometric properties within Ethiopian technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. This study aimed to validate the LSQ for measuring deans' leadership behaviors in TVET colleges of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Using a quantitative survey design, we collected data from 694 academic staff members across 30 TVET colleges. We employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal axis factoring and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the adapted LSQ. The EFA results supported a two-factor structure comprising ROL and TOL behaviors after removing problematic items. The CFA results confirmed the adequacy of the two-factor model, with good fit indices, including CFI (.973) and RMSEA (.064). Reliability analysis demonstrated strong internal consistency for both dimensions (composite reliability: ROL = .94, TOL = .86). Convergent validity was established through average variance extracted (AVE: ROL = .623, TOL = .605), and discriminant validity met acceptable thresholds using the heterotrait monotrait ratio. The LSQ is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing deans' leadership behaviors in Amhara Region TVET colleges. This validated instrument provides a foundation for future leadership research and evidence-based leadership development strategies in Ethiopian TVET institutions and similar contexts.