THE IMPACT OF PERCEIVED OVER-QUALIFICATION ON JOB ATTITUDE THE MODERATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT

Abstract

This study explores how feeling overqualified for a job affects employees' attitudes and well-being, with a particular emphasis on the role of psychological empowerment as a moderating factor. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey of n=267 employees from various industries in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan, the research investigates the relationship between the perception of being overqualified and outcomes like job satisfaction, commitment to the organization, and psychological stress. The findings indicate that a sense of overqualification is significantly linked to increased psychological distress. However, when employees experience higher levels of psychological empowerment, the negative impact of perceived overqualification on job attitudes and well-being is lessened. The results suggest that fostering psychological empowerment within organizations can help counteract the adverse effects of perceived overqualification, leading to improved job satisfaction and reduced psychological distress. The study highlights the importance of organizational strategies aimed at enhancing psychological empowerment to better support employees who feel overqualified. Limitations of the research include its cross-sectional nature and focus on a specific geographic area, which may limit the applicability of the findings. Future studies could use longitudinal approaches and more diverse samples to further validate these conclusions.