Psychometric Properties of the Work Autonomy Scale in the Brazilian Context

This dataset was collected as part of a study aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the Work Autonomy Scale in a Brazilian sample. The study sought to test the scale’s internal structure, reliability, and validity, including measurement invariance across administration modes (online vs. paper-and-pencil) and job roles (leadership vs. non-leadership positions).

The research was based on six hypotheses, including expectations of a three-factor structure (method, scheduling, and criteria autonomy), adequate internal consistency, measurement invariance, and positive correlations with job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment. Data were collected from 718 Brazilian workers aged 18 to 74 years from various states and occupational sectors. Participants had at least one year of formal employment and completed measures of work autonomy, job satisfaction, and affective organizational commitment, along with a sociodemographic questionnaire.

The final dataset includes responses to the nine items on work autonomy, five items on job satisfaction, five items on affective commitment, and detailed demographic information (e.g., age, gender, education, income, job sector, work modality, tenure, leadership role). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a second-order factor model of work autonomy.