Is Overqualification Positive? The Role of Group Collectivism in the Relationship between Perceived Overqualification and Creativity

Abstract

Abstract: The phenomenon of overqualification is becoming more and more common in enterprises. Employees’ perception of overqualification has become a hot topic in the study of organizational management. This paper explores the mechanism between employees’ perceived overqualification and creativity through a cross-level analysis of longitudinal data of 316 employees from 66 R&D and functional teams in high-tech enterprises. We find that: there is a positive correlation between perceived overqualification and boundary spanning behavior; perceived overqualification has a positive impact on creativity through boundary spanning behavior; and group collectivism positively moderates the relationship between perceived overqualification and boundary spanning behavior. At last, the limitation of this study and future research direction are discussed.

Key words: perceived overqualification, boundary spanning behavior, employees’ creativity, group collectivism

Liu Songbo, Pan Jingzhou, Tang Guiyao, Wang Yanan, Li Jin. Is Overqualification Positive? The Role of Group Collectivism in the Relationship between Perceived Overqualification and Creativity[J]. Management Review, 2021, 33(4): 205-214.

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