[Abstract]Drawing from self-concept-based theory of work motivation, the present study sought to investigate the positive effect of perceived overqualification on employee outcomes via work engagement under the boundary conditions of empowering leadership and felt role clarity. We tested our hypotheses with a multi-source and multiwave survey using a sample of 351 industrial employees from China. The results revealed a significant three-way interaction effect on work engagement (i.e., the interaction among the three variables of perceived overqualification, empowering leadership, and felt role clarity). Further, work engagement was found to positively mediate the relationship between the above three-way interaction effect and the employee outcomes of task performance and proactivity. Thefindings supported the study’s theoretical reasoning that perceived overqualification was positively related to employees’ behavioral outcomes via work engagement in the workplace under the boundary conditions we examined. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords:Perceived overqualification; Empowering leadership; Felt role clarity; Work engagement; Task performance and proactivity

本文2020年7月正式发表于Journal of Business Research第118卷，该期刊为武汉大学经济与管理学院B+类期刊，卫武为本文通讯作者。