This thesis will explore the implications of dark triad traits in leadership, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these traits influence organizational outcomes within different environments, based on the research question: "Investigating the correlation between Dark Triad characteristics of CEOs and leaders and organizational success". By examining this fundamental relationship, we aim to contribute to the growing body of literature on leadership personality and its impact on corporate performance, putting particular emphasis on the dark triad traits. Understanding these dynamics is not merely a valuable academic exercise but holds significant practical implications for executive selection, corporate governance, and organizational strategy in an increasingly complex business landscape.
To comprehensively address the research question from multiple facets, this study is organized as follows: It starts by contextualizing dark triad traits in a business context, highlighting their prevalence among corporate leaders. The thesis then explores three established theories – upper echelons theory, social exchange theory, and self-affirmation theory – and examines their relevance to this concrete research. Subsequently, the interplay of dark triad characteristics in leaders and CEOs gets investigated. Building on a general overview, the paper further investigates the interactions between dark triad characteristics in leaders and CEOs through assessing both the positive and negative influence these traits have on organizational outcomes. The final section of the literature review specifically addresses situational and contextual variations in these effects. Following this, the methodology section outlines the process employed to identify eligible literature. Lastly, the key findings of the research are succinctly synthesized, culminating in a concluding discussion appraising the implications of these results.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Literature Review
- 2.1 Dark triad traits in a business context
- 2.2 Prevalence of dark-side characteristics in organizational leadership
- 2.3 Established theoretical concepts
- 2.3.1 Upper echelons theory
- 2.3.2 Social exchange theory
- 2.3.3 Self-affirmation theory
- 2.4 Understanding the paradox: dark triad leadership and organizational outcome
- 2.4.1 The interplay of dark triad traits in leaders and CEOs
- 2.4.2 Negative impacts of dark-side traits in leadership on organizations
- 2.4.3 The bright side of dark triad personality traits in corporate environments
- 2.5 Situational and circumstance-specific variations
- 3. Literature Analysis
- 3.1 Methods applied to identify eligible literature
- 3.2 Extracted findings from the literature
- 3.3 Discussion about the results
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis investigates the correlation between Dark Triad characteristics in CEOs and leaders and organizational success. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these traits influence organizational outcomes in various environments.
- The impact of Dark Triad personality traits on organizational performance.
- The prevalence of Dark Triad traits among CEOs and leaders.
- Existing theoretical frameworks explaining the relationship between leadership personality and organizational outcomes (e.g., Upper Echelons Theory).
- The potential "bright side" of Dark Triad traits in specific leadership contexts.
- Situational factors influencing the impact of Dark Triad traits on organizational success.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: Introduction introduces the research topic, highlighting the limited research on the relationship between executive personality traits and organizational commitment, particularly regarding Dark Triad traits. It emphasizes the significant impact of senior managers on organizational performance and the need to understand the role of Dark Triad traits in leadership.
Chapter 2: Literature Review explores existing research on Dark Triad traits in business contexts, their prevalence in leadership positions, and relevant theoretical frameworks such as Upper Echelons Theory and Social Exchange Theory. This chapter also examines the potential positive and negative impacts of Dark Triad traits on organizations and considers situational variations.
Chapter 3: Literature Analysis details the methodology employed to identify relevant literature and presents the extracted findings. It includes a discussion of the results.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Dark Triad personality traits, leadership, organizational success, CEO, organizational performance, Upper Echelons Theory, Social Exchange Theory, Self-affirmation theory, corporate environments, situational factors.
- Quote paper
- Julian Hillenmeyer (Author), 2024, The correlation between Dark Triad characteristics of CEOs and leaders and organizational success, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1502924
