The Mediating Role of Perceived Overqualification in the Effect of the Dark Triad on Organizational Cynicism

It is observed in the organizational behaviour literature that negative organizational behavior variables are among the current issues that have emerged to occupy it. The dark triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), organizational cynicism, and perceived overqualification are some of these negative organizational behavior variables. The main purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of perceived overqualification in the effect of the dark triad on organizational cynicism. Quantitative research design is employed for this study, where data is gathered from 453 academics working in a public university in Turkey. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis and Hayes Process Model 4 are used to analyze the data. The results reveal that the variables are interrelated and perceived over-efficacy plays a mediating role in the effect of the dark triad on organizational cynicism. At the same time, it has been determined that the dark triad has a direct effect on perceived overqualification, perceived overqualification has a direct effect on organizational cynicism and the dark triad has a direct effect on organizational cynicism.