Polychronicity fit (Misfit) and daily turnover intentions: the mediating roles of work overload and underload

Person environment (P-E) fit researchers have typically treated the experience of P-E fit as a static phenomenon. In this study, we challenged the conventional view by focusing on the fit (misfit) of polychronicity, an individual’s preference for performing multiple tasks simultaneously. We use a mixed-methods approach in Pakistan information technology firms to explore the impacts of P-E polychronicity fit (misfit) on employees. Based on our interview findings, we propose that polychronicity fit (misfit) can evoke feelings of work overload and underload, which further shape individuals’ turnover intentions on an everyday basis. Data collected from 101 IT project employees over five workdays generally supported the hypotheses. Our theoretical contributions include the importance of (a) studying person-environment fit (misfit) as variable and dynamic phenomena that an individual can experience every day (b) acknowledging the role of work overload and underload, and (c) understanding the influence of polychronicity fit on individual’s daily turnover intentions. Practical contributions include effectively managing P-E polychronicity fit (misfit) to reduce employee turnover in organisations.