Examing the Relationship of Dark Triad with Managerial Derailment and Innovative Work Behavior: Moderating Effect of Training Satisfaction

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in studying the dispositions of dysfunctional personalities at work especially among the upper echelons of organizations and their role in causing a career downfall. In line with this trend, this study reports how these personalities particularly the dark triad personalities (Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy) can predict managerial • derailment. It also explains the impact of these personality traits on innovative work behavior. In addition to quantitatively examining these direct relationships, the study also tests the moderation effect of training satisfaction on these relationships. Building on the 'Trait activation • theory', the study proposed six direct and six moderation hypotheses. A questionnaire based survey was conducted in the telecommunication sector of Pakistan. Middle and top-level m managers served as respondents for the study. A final sample of 490 responses was included in the study for data analysis. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The 1m results established a sitive relationship_ between each trait of the dark triad, managerial derailment and innovative work behavior. Moreover, training satisfaction was found to moderate Machiavellianism and narcissism in relation to managerial derailment but did not moderate psychopathy. However, in relation to innovative work behavior, it only moderated psychopathy . • lD light of these finding< , the · d suggests that dark triad equally predicts positive and negative organizational outcomes however management can employ customized training programs that can channelize the dark triad personalities of top tier decision-making executives for controlling the derailment potential and enhancing innovative work behavior in them.