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Numerous studies show that high levels of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) in firms positively influence firm performance. Yet, high levels of Dark Triad (DT) traits - narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy - of managers might work detrimental to EO. Our study empirically tests if top managers who score high on Dark Triad traits have a negative influence on firm performance, reducing the merits of EO. Results of a survey study on 191 firms show that all three dimensions of the DT, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, suppress the positive effects that EO has on firm performance. Accordingly, selfish behaviour, emotional coldness, propensity for duplicity, and top managers' quest for self promotion, status, and dominance lead to behaviour that reduces the positive influences around innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking of EO.
The impact of traits in entrepreneurship has been subject to intense discussion. Apart from favorable traits fostering opportunity recognition, entrepreneurial orientation, venture performance, and other variables, a younger research stream also addresses the role of negative traits. Among them, the dark triad, comprising of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, have gained specific attention. This systematic literature review aims to structure the field, identify current research themes, and provide a better understanding of prior research outcomes. Our results show that dark triad research addresses entrepreneurial activity, opportunity recognition, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial leadership, the and entrepreneurial motives. Among the dark triad traits, narcissism is stressed most in research so far. It relates to firm performance, risk, and leadership behavior, whereas Machiavellianism and psychopathy relate to opportunity recognition and exploitation. We also identify several research gaps, which can be addressed in future research.
Researchers examining the accuracy of observers ratings of others are devoting increased attention to peer-reported personality traits. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate convergent validity of the three-factor Dark Triad model of personality framework, using two different rating methods: self-ratings and peer-ratings. Each participant (N = 266) was asked to collect three peer ratings (total peers N = 798). First, respondents completed three Dark Triad measures-Mach IV, SRP-III, and NPI-17 instruments. The peer-report forms of these instruments consisted of the same items as in the self-report version, but the rephrasing was appropriate to a third-person perspective. With the exception of one subscale of narcissism, Dark Triad measures demonstrated substantial convergent validity. These findings challenge views that at least two dark personality characteristics, i.e. psychopathy and Machiavellianism, are accurately observable phenomenon. The influences of agreement between self and other raters are discussed in relation to the degree of ratability and social desirability.