Validation of the German Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale (W-BNS-G)

Currently, there is no validated German tool that captures the basic needs as outlined in Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the organizational context. To be able to collect reliable and valid data and use the results of German research on SDT to derive and implement empirically grounded practical implications that foster employee well-being, performance, and companies’ growth, a validated measurement tool is a compulsory requirement. Therefore, this study aimed to fill that gap and developed and validated a German version of the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction scale (W-BNS). We replicated the three-factor structure, as well as the reliability of the three subscales and could extensively confirm the construct- and the criterion-related validity of the original W-BNS for the German version (W-BNS-G, N=648). Additionally, multi-group comparisons were conducted to investigate cultural measurement invariance with the Dutch and the Italian version of the W-BNS. In summary, the present study provides a tool with high reliability and validity assessing the basic needs in the organizational context in German language. We address the potential comparability of German, Italian, and Dutch findings using the different versions of the W-BNS and conclude by discussing the limitations of the present study and deriving suggestions for future research.