A cross-cultural examination of the curvilinear relationship between perceived demands-abilities fit and risk-taking propensity

We propose a U-shaped relationship between perceived demands-abilities (D-A) fit and risk-taking propensity that is contingent on individual-level uncertainty avoidance and test this relationship in the U.S., China, and Japan. We find a consistent cross-cultural support for the main curvilinear relationships, whereas the moderating role of individual-level uncertainty avoidance is supported in the U.S. and Japan, but not China. Our results challenge the conventional wisdom that relationships between fit and job outcomes are linear and open up new research avenues for person-environment research which should examine both 'bright' and 'dark' sides of fit.