When and how does perceived overqualification lead to turnover intention? A moderated mediation model

Purpose: The study is aimed at developing and testing a theoretical model where psychological capital acts as the intervening mechanism explicating the relationship between perceived overqualification (POQ) and turnover intention. It also explores how perceived supervisor support (PSS) influences the mediating role of psychological capital in the perceived overqualification and turnover intention association. Design/methodology/approach: The authors test the model through a sample data of 314 workers employed in the Indian IT service sector. IBM SPSS and SPSS AMOS software were utilized for conducting analysis and testing the model involving first-stage moderated mediation. Findings: The study confirms that perceptions of overqualification have a positive relationship with turnover intentions. Further, it finds that the positive association between POQ and turnover intention will be mediated by psychological capital. The results reflected that perceived supervisor support shall weaken the relationship between perceptions of overqualification and psychological capital. Originality/value: The research is amongst the limited researches which look at the influence of psychological capital and perceived supervisor support with regards to POQ. It attempts to lay down the underlying psychological mechanism of POQ and highlight the role played by perceived supervisor support.