This study aimed to investigate the direct effects of perceived overqualification, career growth opportunities, and work overload on quiet quitting and turnover intention among organizational members. It also examined the mediating effect of turnover ...
This study aimed to investigate the direct effects of perceived overqualification, career growth opportunities, and work overload on quiet quitting and turnover intention among organizational members. It also examined the mediating effect of turnover intention and whether there are differences between groups in these relationships.
The subjects of the study were members of domestic private organizations, public enterprises, and public institutions. Data was collected using a questionnaire, and a total of 600 responses were used in the final analysis.
The main research results are as follows: First, perceived overqualification among organizational members was found to have a significant positive effect on both quiet quitting and turnover intention. Career growth opportunities had a negative effect on turnover intention but did not significantly affect quiet quitting. Work overload had a negative effect on quiet quitting and a positive effect on turnover intention. Turnover intention had a significant positive effect on quiet quitting.
Second, the mediating effect of turnover intention in the relationship between the independent variables and quiet quitting was significant. Specifically, turnover intention positively mediated the relationship between perceived overqualification and quiet quitting. In the relationship between career growth opportunities and quiet quitting, turnover intention had a negative mediating effect. In the relationship between work overload and quiet quitting, turnover intention had a suppressing effect.
Third, age-based difference analysis showed that for the group under 30, perceived overqualification had a significant positive effect on turnover intention and quiet quitting. Work overload positively affected turnover intention and negatively affected quiet quitting. For the group aged 40 or older, perceived overqualification and work overload positively affected turnover intention, while career growth opportunities negatively affected turnover intention. Additionally, turnover intention had a significant positive effect on quiet quitting. Notably, the direct effect on quiet quitting was significant only in the group under 30, while in the group over 40, perceived overqualification, career growth opportunities, and work overload significantly affected quiet quitting through the mediating effect of turnover intention.
Based on the research results, the implications of this study are as follows: First, organizations should strive to match the qualifications (knowledge, skills, and abilities) of their members with their jobs and help members clearly understand the relationship between their abilities and their jobs. It is also necessary to establish an acceptable evaluation system through accurate job analysis and develop fair performance management techniques. Second, it is necessary to establish a customized career development support system for each individual by identifying the career motivations of each organizational member. Additionally, creating an environment where members can continue their careers stablely and continuously manner through suitable jobs and a reasonable compensation system is essential. Third, early management of work overload is important. Organizations should pursue strategies to reduce burnout and negative behaviors due to work overload, as well as provide customized support according to each individual's capabilities.Fourth, since the pattern of quiet quitting may differ depending on age within the organization, it is necessary to prepare customized human resource management plans for each generation.
Suggestions for follow-up research are as follows: First, additional research is needed on various variables that affect quiet quitting. Second, there is a need to explore moderating variables to reduce quiet quitting. Third, more detailed examination of the relationship between turnover intention, quiet quitting, and turnover is required. Fourth, longitudinal research on quiet quitting is necessary to verify how organizational members' perceptions change and what effect this has on organizational performance.