The Effects of Job Mismatch on Pay, Job Satisfaction, and Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of job mismatch on pay, job satisfaction, and performance of doctoral level researchers, based on the job-environment fit theory. The study analyzed 2273 sample data used in the survey, based on the ‘2013 Ph D. Research Survey’ from the Institute for Science and Technology Policy (STEPI) in Korea. The results showed that the degree of job-mismatch of doctors has a significant effect on overall pay, job satisfaction, and performance. Specifically, job mismatch of the Ph.D. workforce both negatively affected pay and job satisfaction. In addition, in terms of the relationship between job mismatch, pay, job satisfaction, and job performance, the mediating effect of pay and job satisfaction was confirmed. The implication of the research is that it is crucial to approach the accomplishment of an outstanding workforce based on the concept of job mismatch so that excellent and highly educated human resources can be placed in the right place to maximize their individual qualities and academic knowledge. Considering that job mismatch eventually has a negative impact on research performance through the mediation of pay and job satisfaction, it is necessary to promote strategies to utilize advanced talent, which includes job mismatch, economic incentives, such as salaries, and psychological compensation, such as job satisfaction.