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The bright and dark sides of the Dark Triad traits among senior managers: effects on organizational commitment

Author

Listed:
  • Beate Cesinger

    (New Design University)

  • Katherine Gundolf

    (University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria)

  • Mathew Hughes

    (Loughborough University)

  • Anis Khedhaouria

    (Montpellier Business School and MRM)

  • Francesco Montani

    (University of Bologna)

Abstract

Senior managers play a fundamental role in organizations. They shape organizational strategy and culture, set the mission, including opportunities for new markets, and construct the business models. Their commitment to the organization is vital to organizational performance, yet research on personality traits of senior managers and their commitment to organizations is limited. Drawing on self-affirmation theory, we investigate the consequences of senior managers’ ‘Dark Triad Traits’ (narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) for their organizational commitment. We use the three-component model developed by Allen and Meyer (J Occup Psychol 63:1–18, 1990) to distinguish affective, continuance, and normative commitment. Our findings from a dataset of 394 senior French managers collected between 2017 and 2018 show that narcissism positively affects continuance commitment and normative commitment. This study contributes to a neglected stream of research investigating the relationship between Dark Triad traits and organizational commitment; contributes to ‘destigmatizing’ Dark Triad traits, often considered problematic for individuals; and adds to the minimal research currently on manager personality and organizational commitment.

Suggested Citation

  • Beate Cesinger & Katherine Gundolf & Mathew Hughes & Anis Khedhaouria & Francesco Montani, 2023. "The bright and dark sides of the Dark Triad traits among senior managers: effects on organizational commitment," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 1731-1763, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:17:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s11846-022-00571-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-022-00571-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dark Triad; Self-affirmation theory; Organizational commitment; Personality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation

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