Underutilized and angry: The emotional and relational dynamics behind overqualified employees’ turnover intentions
European Management Journal, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.emj.2026.08.001
- Journal Name: European Management Journal
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, ABI/INFORM, Index Islamicus, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, DIALNET, Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Keywords: Anger toward the job, Anger toward the organization, Leader-member exchange, Perceived overqualification, Perceived supervisor overqualification, Turnover intention
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Building on Relative Deprivation Theory, this study examines the emotional mechanisms linking perceived overqualification (POQ) to turnover intentions and the boundary conditions shaping these effects. Specifically, we identify anger toward the job and anger toward the organization as two distinct emotional pathways through which POQ influences turnover intentions. We further explore how perceived supervisor overqualification (PSOQ) and leader–member exchange (LMX) quality moderate these emotional pathways. Using a time-lagged research design, we collected data from 208 early-career employees in Türkiye (Study 1) and 274 mid-to late-career professionals in the United Kingdom (Study 2). Study 1 shows that POQ predicts both types of anger, which mediate its effect on turnover intentions. Study 2 extends these findings by demonstrating that the strength of these emotional pathways depends on employees' perceptions of PSOQ and LMX quality. Our results offer theoretical and practical insights into the emotional and relational dynamics through which POQ shapes turnover intentions.