Epistemic curiosity and perceived workload: a moderated mediation model of achievement striving and overwork climate

In today’s increasingly complex and highly competitive business environment, hiring individuals who can cope with challenging job demands is considered critical. In this context, epistemic curiosity, which enables enhanced learning and intellectual development, has long been known to positively impact on-job performance. This study explores the less positive side of curiosity by examining the relationship between epistemic curiosity and perceived workload, as well as the mediating role of achievement striving and the moderating role of an overwork climate. We collected data from 252 employees in various organizations across Pakistan. The results support the predicted positive relationship between epistemic curiosity and perceived workload and indicate that achievement striving fully mediates this relationship. In addition, overwork climate moderates the relationship between epistemic curiosity and perceived workload via achievement striving, such that the relationship weakens as an overwork climate develops. The study has implications for recruitment practice, the work environment, and training and development.