This study aims to examine when and how job complexity may prompt occupational reconsideration. Drawing on an identity appraisal perspective, it tests the inverted-U-shaped association between perceived job complexity and occupational identity threat, the corresponding indirect association with career change intention and the moderating role of workplace sense of power.
Two complementary studies were conducted. Study 1 analyzed from the Second European Skills and Jobs Survey data involving 43,859 employees in 29 European countries to examine the focal association. Study 2 used two-wave survey data from 434 Chinese full-time employees to test the full research model.
Study 1 identified an inverted-U association between job complexity and occupational identity threat in the pooled cross-national sample. Study 2 supported this pattern. Occupational identity threat peaked at intermediate complexity and was positively associated with career change intention. The indirect curvilinear association through occupational identity threat was also significant. Workplace sense of power was associated with lower threat and a more pronounced inverted-U association.
This study develops a nonlinear account of job complexity's occupational identity implications. It links everyday work design to occupational reconsideration through occupational identity threat. It also identifies workplace sense of power as a factor shaping the appraisal of complex work.
