Narcissism in the Boardroom: The Gendered Dynamics of Organizational Politics

Abstract

This study examines the intricate dynamics between narcissistic personality traits and organizational politics, focusing on the moderating role of gender on teachers working in public sector universities of South region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A cross-sectional design was employed, gathering data from 364 professionals across universities of South region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan through validated scales. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between narcissism and organizational politics. Regression analysis demonstrated that narcissistic personality traits significantly impact organizational politics, emphasizing the role of such traits in shaping political behavior within the workplace. Moderation analysis showed that gender plays a significant role in moderating the relationship between narcissism and organizational politics, with males demonstrating stronger associations. Additionally, demographic variations were found to influence responses, confirming significant mean differences. The study highlights the practical implications of these findings for organizations, including the need to recognize and manage the impact of narcissistic traits on workplace dynamics. It emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive environments, providing leadership training, and implementing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of organizational politics. While contributing to the literature on narcissism and workplace behavior, the study acknowledges limitations, such as its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, and offers directions for future research. These include longitudinal studies, exploration of cultural and structural factors, and intervention-based approaches to enhance organizational outcomes.

Keywords: Narcissistic Personality, Organizational Politics, Gender, Workplace Behavior