On the association between perceived overqualification and adaptive behavior. Issue 2 (6th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Chia-Huei; Tian, Amy Wei; Luksyte, Aleksandra; Spitzmueller, Christiane
• Is Part Of: Personnel review. Volume 46:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 339
• Page End: 354
• Publication Date: 2017-03-06
• Subjects: Quantitative -- Underemployment -- Job autonomy -- Job design -- Adaptivity -- Perceived overqualification; Personnel management -- Periodicals; 658.3005
• DOI: 10.1108/PR-05-2015-0134
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-3486

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to offer an autonomous motivation perspective to explore the relationship between perceived overqualification and adaptive work behavior and examine job autonomy as a factor that may moderate the association. Design/methodology/approach: The hypotheses were tested in two culturally, demographically, and functionally diverse samples: sample 1 was based on North American community college employees ( n =215); sample 2 was based on full-time workers, employed in a Chinese state-owned enterprise specializing in shipping ( n =148). Findings: In study 1, perceived overqualification was negatively related to self-rated adaptive behavior. A follow-up study 2 extended these findings by demonstrating that perceived overqualification was negatively related to supervisor-rated adaptive work behavior when job autonomy was low, rather than high. Research limitations/implications: The results of this research offer an autonomous motivation perspective to explain why perceived overqualification relates to adaptive behavior and suggests a job design approach to encourage adaptive behaviors of people who feel overqualified – a sizable segment of the current workforce. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies to explore adaptive behavior of workers who feel overqualified – an outcome that has not been examined in this domain. The findings further point out what can be done to encourage adaptive behaviors among overqualified employees.