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CEO Bright and Dark Personality: Effects on Ethical Misconduct

Author

Listed:
  • James R. Van Scotter

    (University of Colorado Colorado Springs)

  • Karina De Déa Roglio

    (University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
    Universidade Federal do Paraná)

Abstract

In recent years, misconduct by CEOs has led to firings, scandals, and financial losses for companies. Our study explores personality antecedents of CEO misconduct using Five-Factor Model personality traits and personality disorder profile similarity indices. The sample of 259 CEOs used in the analysis includes CEOs who were involved in well-publicized misconduct scandals as well as CEOs who had no misconduct scandals. Teams of trained raters measured CEO personality using psychometric personality rating scales and video-based assessment methods. Logistic regression results provided some support for hypotheses regarding relationships between ethical misconduct, fraud, excessive risk taking, and sexual misconduct and personality traits including “Big Five” traits and personality disorder profile similarity indices.

Suggested Citation

  • James R. Van Scotter & Karina De Déa Roglio, 2020. "CEO Bright and Dark Personality: Effects on Ethical Misconduct," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 451-475, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:164:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-018-4061-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-4061-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dickinson, David L., 2023. "Dark versus Light Personality Types and Moral Choice," IZA Discussion Papers 16338, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    3. Ruijie Sun & Feng Liu & Yinan Li & Rongping Wang & Jing Luo, 2024. "Machine Learning for Predicting Corporate Violations: How Do CEO Characteristics Matter?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 195(1), pages 151-166, November.
    4. Yao, Shouyu & Zhao, Weijia & Sensoy, Ahmet & Cheng, Feiyang & Goodell, John W., 2021. "The dark side of marital leadership: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    5. Cannon, James N. & Lamboy-Ruiz, Melvin A. & Watanabe, Olena V., 2022. "Ownership type and earnings management in U.S. hospitals," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    6. Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Dieleman, Marleen & Hirsch, Paul & Rodrigues, Suzana B. & Zyglidopoulos, Stelios, 2021. "Multinationals’ misbehavior," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(5).
    7. Florian Fuchs & Volker Lingnau, 2024. "The Homo Economicus as a Prototype of a Psychopath? A Conceptual Analysis and Implications for Business Research and Teaching," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 195(4), pages 763-777, December.
    8. Kutaula, Smirti & Gillani, Alvina & Leonidou, Leonidas C. & Christodoulides, Paul, 2022. "Integrating fair trade with circular economy: Personality traits, consumer engagement, and ethically-minded behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1087-1102.
    9. Ling L. Harris & Scott B. Jackson & Joel Owens & Nicholas Seybert, 2022. "Recruiting Dark Personalities for Earnings Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(1), pages 193-218, June.
    10. Liu, Shan & Wu, Xingying & Hu, Nan, 2024. "Does CEO agreeableness personality mitigate real earnings management?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PB).
    11. Chen, Jing & Hong, Junjie & Zhong, Weifeng & Wang, Chengqi & Liu, Xinghe, 2024. "Doing right at home: Do hometown CEOs curb corporate misconduct?11Chengqi Wang acknowledges the financial support of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 72332005). Xinghe Liu acknowledge," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).

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