The controversial relationship between narcissistic leadership and voluntary work behaviours: a meta-analytic approach

Abstract

AbstractContradictory evidence on the correlation between narcissism in organisations and voluntary work behaviours forms the basis for the present study. The authors employed a systematic review (meta-analysis) to describe the relationship between narcissistic leadership and voluntary work behaviours. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) model, the authors identified fifty-two (52) research articles for the meta-analysis. The study highlighted a statistically significant relationship between narcissistic leadership and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) but an insignificant relationship between narcissistic leadership and counterproductive work behaviour (CWB). The results necessitate looking at leader narcissism from a multidimensional perspective. The use of longitudinal and experimental designs to study the relationship between leader narcissism and voluntary work behaviours can also address the current limitations. A theoretical justification for the use of either self or other measures of the relationship between leader narcissism and voluntary work behaviours should also be considered.