Job Crafting as a Mediator Between Job Mismatch and Productivity in Gen Z Workers

Job mismatch is still a serious problem in the Indonesian labor market, particularly among Generation Z employees. Based on a survey conducted by Populix through the GoodStats platform, 48% of job candidates prioritize personal interest over educational relevance when selecting a career. Employers, on the other hand, often bemoan the lack of work experience, inadequate technical skills, and unmatched educational background. This study offers a new direction by pinpointing the mediating role of job crafting in the relationship between job mismatch and productivity, especially for Gen Z workers in Jakarta. The main purpose is to investigate how job mismatch affects productivity and how job crafting can serve as a strategic mediator. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 165 Gen Z employees in various industries in Jakarta and were examined with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that job mismatch greatly reduces employee productivity and immensely increases job crafting behavior. Moreover, job crafting greatly positively impacts employee productivity and significantly mediates the impact of job mismatch on productivity. These findings offer fresh evidence of the ways organizations can prepare for job mismatch by using job crafting strategies intended for younger generations. Encouraging workplace adaptation through job crafting may serve as a practical approach to support Generation Z employees’ professional development and performance.