Career adaptability and perceived overqualification: Testing a dual-path model among Chinese human resource management professionals.

Yang, W.; Guan, Y.; She, Z.; Lai, X.; Lockwood, A.

Abstract

Based on career construction theory, the current research examined the relationship between career adaptability and perceived overqualification among a sample of Chinese human resource management professionals (N = 220). The results of a survey study showed that career adaptability predicted perceived overqualification through a dual-path model: On the one hand, career adaptability positively predicted employees' perceived delegation, which had a subsequent negative effect on perceived overqualification. At the same time, career adaptability also positively predicted career anchor in challenge, which in turn positively predicted overqualification. This dual-path mediation model provides a novel perspective to understand the mechanisms through which career adaptability affects perceived overqualification, and demonstrates the coexistence of opposite effects in this process. In addition, the results also showed that the effects of perceived delegation and career anchor in challenge on perceived overqualification were stronger among employees with a higher (vs. lower) level of organizational tenure. These findings carry implications for both career development theories and organizational management practices.

Citation

Yang, W., Guan, Y., She, Z., Lai, X., & Lockwood, A. (2015). Career adaptability and perceived overqualification: Testing a dual-path model among Chinese human resource management professionals. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 90, 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.08.007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 13, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Aug 28, 2015
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Deposit Date: May 12, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Vocational Behavior
• Print ISSN: 0001-8791
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 90
• Pages: 154-162
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.08.007
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1412393