Speaking for organization or self? Investigating the effects of perceived overqualification on pro-organizational and self-interested voice

Chao Ma, Sudong Shang, Honglei Zhao, Jie Zhong and Xi Wen Chan

Journal of Business Research, 2023, vol. 168, issue C

Abstract: Guided by uncertainty management theory, we investigate the effects of POQ on both pro-organizational voice behavior and self-interested voice behavior through the mediating role of felt uncertainty. In addition, we propose that ethical leadership serves as a key moderator mitigating the negative relationship between POQ and felt uncertainly. We tested our proposed model across two multi-wave and multi-source field studies. Specifically, with 411 subordinate–supervisor matched observations in Study 1, we found that POQ predicted higher levels of felt uncertainty, which in turn, was negatively related to pro-organizational voice behavior and positively related to self-interested voice behavior. In Study 2, with 188 subordinate–supervisor matched observations, we replicated the mediating effects of Study 1 and tested the full moderated mediation model in Study2. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of felt uncertainty as a key underlying mechanism influencing overqualified employees’ voice choices. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords: Perceived overqualification; Felt uncertainty; Pro-organizational voice; Self-interested voice; Ethical leadership (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:168:y:2023:i:c:s014829632300574x

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114215

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