Perceived overqualification leads to being ostracized: the mediating role of psychological entitlement and moderating role of task interdependence
Career Development International
ISSN: 1362-0436
Article publication date: 15 August 2023
Issue publication date: 29 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effect of psychological entitlement in the relationship between perceived overqualification (POQ) and workplace ostracism. In addition, the authors posited that POQ would interact with task interdependence to influence psychological entitlement and indirectly affect workplace ostracism.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected in three waves from 450 workers in a state-owned enterprise, the authors tested the proposed moderated mediation model.
Findings
POQ increased workplace ostracism through the mediation of psychological entitlement. Moreover, task interdependence buffered the positive effect of POQ on psychological entitlement.
Practical implications
When recruiting, managers should be careful about hiring employees who are too above the job requirements to lessen employees' POQ and lower its negative impact. In addition, they could reduce the feeling of being ostracized for overqualified employees through increasing task interdependence.
Originality/value
Existing research on antecedents of workplace ostracism had mainly focused on the ostracizers, while largely ignoring the victims. Moreover, of the few studies on the victims of ostracism, most focused on inherent employee characteristics or external environmental factors, while little research attention has been given to employees' subjective perceptions. The present study is among the first to examine whether employees' POQ and individuals' self-perception that their skills, knowledge and abilities exceed the job requirements would lead to being ostracized and if so, how and when.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This article was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 72171227).
Citation
Peng, X., Yu, K., Kang, Y., Zhang, K. and Chen, Q. (2023), "Perceived overqualification leads to being ostracized: the mediating role of psychological entitlement and moderating role of task interdependence", Career Development International, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 554-571. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-06-2022-0143
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited