The impact of perceived overqualification and trait gratefulness on the development and consequences of newcomers’ organizational cynicism

Cynicism is increasingly prevalent in modern workplaces, posing significant challenges to organizational effectiveness. However, limited research has examined organizational cynicism among newcomers. Drawing on psychological contract theory, this study identifies perceived overqualification as a key factor leading to newcomers' organizational cynicism. We also explore the harmful effects of cynicism and how trait gratefulness can mitigate these effects. Using a scenario-based experiment and a three-wave field survey, results show that overqualified newcomers are more likely to experience psychological contract breach (PCB), resulting in greater cynicism and a higher likelihood of counterproductive work behaviors (CWB). Importantly, gratefulness buffers the relationship between cynicism and CWB. This study enhances understanding of how organizational cynicism forms early among newcomers and provides practical insights for managing its impact.