The Kirton adaption-innovation inventory: Should the sub-scales be orthogonal?

The paper examines one of the fundamental tenets of Adaption-Innovation theory, that the KAI measure is uni-dimensional. Attention is focused on the orthodox three-factor structure and by a simple process of refinement it is demonstrated that the sub-scales are essentially orthogonal. It is further shown that evidence for the inherent independence of the three sub-scales of originality, efficiency and conformity lies in data published in the first KAI Manual. Some implications for Adaption-Innovation theory are outlined.