Validation of the Cultural Values Scale (CV Scale) in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Most cross-cultural research in Africa often relies on tools developed in Western contexts, yet these instruments are not universally valid. The Cultural Values Scale (CVS), though widely used, has not been validated in Uganda or the broader East African region. The objective of this study was to psychometrically evaluate the Cultural Values Scale (CVS) as a first step toward its potential application in the East African context. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 324 final-year students from business and non-business programs at a university in Uganda. The validation process involved exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability testing, convergent and discriminant validity assessment, split-sample cross-validation through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), measurement invariance testing, and hierarchical regression to establish predictive validity. Results • Exploratory factor analysis: Produced a five-factor solution consistent with the theoretical model. • Reliability: Internal consistency was high across dimensions (Cronbach’s α = 0.81–0.92). • Convergent and discriminant validity: Convergent validity was achieved (Average Variance Extracted (AVE) > 0.50), and discriminant validity was confirmed, as the square root of each construct’s AVE exceeded its correlations with all other constructs. • Split-sample cross-validation (CFA): Dividing the sample into two equal groups demonstrated model stability across subsamples, with acceptable fit indices (Group 1: CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.080; Group 2: CFI = 0.903, RMSEA = 0.042). • Measurement invariance: Configural invariance was established across gender groups (CFI = 0.901; RMSEA = 0.049), followed by partial metric invariance after freeing two masculinity items, and partial scalar invariance after intercept adjustments, enabling meaningful latent mean comparisons. • Predictive validity: Hierarchical regression revealed that collectivism (β = .62, p < .001), uncertainty avoidance (β = .57, p < .001), and long-term orientation (β = .51, p < .001) significantly predicted entrepreneurial intentions within a multivariate model, jointly explaining 66.1% of the variance. Notably, uncertainty avoidance showed a positive association consistent with adaptive resilience in collectivist contexts characterized by uncertainty. Conclusion The Cultural Values Scale demonstrated robust psychometric properties using Ugandan data. This validation provides a reliable tool for studying cultural influences on entrepreneurial intentions and lays a solid foundation for future scale validations, localized cultural research, and entrepreneurial training initiatives across East Africa.