Too much of a good thing? The curvilinear effects of job clarity on career satisfaction and creativity among hospitality employees

This study challenges the assumption that greater job clarity always benefits service employees. Drawing on self-determination theory and the Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing framework, we test a moderated curvilinear mediation model linking job clarity, career satisfaction, and creativity, with career calling as a boundary condition. Using three-wave, multi-source data from 164 supervisor–employee dyads in Chinese hotels, results reveal inverted U-shaped relationships between job clarity and both career satisfaction and supervisor-rated creativity. Career satisfaction mediates this curvilinear effect. Moreover, career calling amplifies the curvature—employees high in calling gain greater motivational and creative benefits as clarity increases but experience sharper losses at very high clarity levels. These findings position job clarity as a dynamic and context-dependent resource, offering theoretical and managerial insights for fostering creativity and well-being among hospitality employees.