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Perceived overqualification in higher education institutions: Enhancing employee innovative behavior via creative self-confidence and harmonious workplace climate

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Abstract

This study examines the relationship between perceived overqualification (POQ) and employee innovative behavior in higher education institutions in China. Further, this study examined the mediating role of creative self-confidence and moderating role of harmonious workplace climate. The data were collected from 340 employees (330 employees and 10 supervisors) in higher education institutions in China using a multi-time lag method based on convenience sampling. The findings of this study asserted a positive relationship between POQ and employee innovative behavior. This implies that employees who perceive themselves as overqualified for their current roles are more likely to display innovative behavior in their work. Furthermore, the study identifies creative self-confidence as a mediating factor in the link between POQ and employee innovative behavior. In other words, when employees feel overqualified and possess creative self-confidence, they are more inclined to exhibit innovative behaviors. Moreover, the research showed that a harmonious workplace climate plays a moderating role in the relationship between POQ and employee innovative behavior, as well as in the connection between creative self-confidence and employee innovative behavior. A harmonious workplace climate fosters an environment of support, cooperation, and encouragement among employees, which positively influences the outcomes of POQ and creative self-confidence on innovative behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics and Management, Weifang University, Weifang, 261061, Shandong, China

    Xuejun Ma

  2. Institute of Business and Management Sciences, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, 53130, Pakistan

    Afraseyab Khattak

  3. Institute of Business Management, College of Business Management, Karachi, 75190, Pakistan

    Bilqees Ghani

  4. School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK

    Mongda Huo

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  1. Xuejun Ma
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  2. Afraseyab Khattak
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  3. Bilqees Ghani
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  4. Mongda Huo
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Correspondence to Xuejun Ma.

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This research received ethical approval from the Research Committee of Jiangsu University, located in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China. The approval was granted in adherence to international ethical standards, specifically the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and its subsequent amendments. Following these ethical guidelines ensures the protection of participants' rights, confidentiality, and overall ethical conduct throughout the research process.

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In the study, informed consent was obtained from all individual adult participants who were included in the research.

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Ma, X., Khattak, A., Ghani, B. et al. Perceived overqualification in higher education institutions: Enhancing employee innovative behavior via creative self-confidence and harmonious workplace climate. Curr Psychol 43, 9826–9837 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05139-2

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