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On the association between perceived overqualification and adaptive behavior

Author

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  • Wu, Chia-Huei
  • Tian, Amy
  • Luksyte, Aleksandra
  • Spitzmueller, Christiane

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this research was 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. 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. Our findings further point out what can be done to encourage adaptive behaviors among overqualified employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Chia-Huei & Tian, Amy & Luksyte, Aleksandra & Spitzmueller, Christiane, 2017. "On the association between perceived overqualification and adaptive behavior," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 66320, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:66320
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/66320/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Chia-Huei Wu & Aleksandra Luksyte & Sharon Parker, 2015. "Overqualification and Subjective Well-Being at Work: The Moderating Role of Job Autonomy and Culture," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 121(3), pages 917-937, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Zhang & Zhaoyi Yan & Bin Wang & Yi Qu & Jing Qian, 2022. "Perceived Overqualification and Job Crafting: The Mediating Role of Workplace Anxiety and Moderating Role of Reappraisal," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, June.
    2. Ma, Chao & Lin, Xiaoshuang & Chen, (George) Zhen Xiong & Wei, Wu, 2020. "Linking perceived overqualification with task performance and proactivity? An examination from self-concept-based perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 199-209.
    3. Rafeed Faiz Abozaid & Rafique Mansoor Mansoor & Sayyed Sadaqat Hussain Shah & Sinan Abdullah Harjan & Ahmed Alalimi & Almushaira Mustafa, 2019. "Perceived overqualification and its positive impact on organization employee's behavior," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 8(6), pages 58-71, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    perceived overqualification; adaptivity; job design; job autonomy; underemployment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General

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