Narcissistic drive and innovation performance: a moderated mediation model

We explain how narcissistic Chief executive officers (CEOs) positively influence the innovation performance of their firms. While narcissism has traditionally been categorized as one of the 'Dark Triad' personality traits, and research over the years has consistently linked these traits, particularly in CEOs, to adverse outcomes, our results indicate that CEO narcissism boosts innovation performance through exploreing a moderated mediating model. This positive association origins from their inherent traits: a relentless drive for admiration, a quest for distinction, and a penchant for bold actions. Such tendencies lead these CEOs to prioritize innovation as a central avenue to assert their dominance and guide their firms' direction. We also investigate the situational factor (CEO career horizon) that amplify or mitigate the impact of CEO narcissism on firm innovation.Our study enriches the upper echelons theory and explains the nuanced role of CEO narcissism in shaping firm innovation, highlighting the critical influence of leadership personality on innovation performance.

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Leadership and Leadership Development

Traditional paradigms of leadership, including traits, behaviour and contingency approaches;Psychodynamic approach to leadership;Strategic leadership