Investigating the Impact of Over Qualification on Employee Performance, Satisfaction and Employee Relations

Abstract

– In the contemporary job market, the phenomenon of overqualification has emerged as a prevalent issue with potential implications for both employees and organizations. Overqualification occurs when individuals possess qualifications, skills, or educational backgrounds that surpass the requirements of their current job positions. This research aims to investigate the impact of overqualification on employee performance, job satisfaction, and interpersonal relations within the workplace. Employing a mixed-method research design, this study collected data from a diverse sample of employees through quantitative surveys a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using SPSS Amos to analyze data collected from employees in various industries and educational institutes. The quantitative analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between overqualification and employee performance, indicating that individuals who perceive themselves as overqualified may experience good job performance. Additionally, overqualification was found to have a positive association with job satisfaction, as overqualified employees reported higher levels of overall job satisfaction compared to their adequately qualified counterparts. The qualitative findings complemented the quantitative results by providing deeper insights into the emotional experiences of overqualified employees, highlighting feelings of underutilization, frustration, and disengagement. Furthermore, the research indicated that overqualification can detrimentally impact interpersonal relations in the workplace, potentially leading to communication challenges and good relations among employees.