Counterproductive Work Behaviors and Narcissism

반생산적인 업무행동에 대한 자기애적 성격특성의 이해

  • Published : 2002.09.01

Abstract

Counterproductive work behaviors are behaviors by employees intended to harm their organization or organization members. Human is the being has a desire and behaviors. To understand behaviors of an individual, it is important to understand the personality which determines a difference between individuals. Narcissists has psychological traits to be likely to experience negative emotions, such as frustration, hostility or anger, and this psychological traits of narcissists are more likely to induce an aggression. In this view, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between counterproductive work behaviors and narcissistic personality characteristics and to explore psychological dynamics about how narcissistic personality characteristics had an effect on counterproductive work behaviors. As a result, facts known were as follows. First, narcissists has strong desires to maintain a sense of superiority over others and defend their egos against unpleasant evaluation information, even if the information is factual and accurate. Second, narcissists are hyper-sensitive to negative information and are more likely to encounter information or situations that challenge their positive self-appraisals by this view. Third, in response to these challenges, or ego threats, these individuals are more likely to experience negative emotions, such as anger, frustration, or hostility. Forth, this negative emotions lead to aggression and as a result, this is more likely to induce counterproductive work behaviors such as theft, sabotage, interpersonal aggression, work slowdowns, wasting time and materials, and spreading rumors. Thus, narcissism is another individual difference variable that may be an important factor in determining counterproductive work behaviors, particularly under conditions perceived to be difficult or stressful.

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