The Relationship between Narcissistic Personality Traits and Counterproductive Behavior: The Mediating Role of Organizational Climate

AbstractObjective: The present study aimed to examine the direct and indirect relationship (through organizational climate) between narcissistic personality traits and counterproductive behavior in the employees of Semnan Medical Sciences Organization. Method: The design of the current research was descriptive-correlational. The sample of this research included 124 people (men=47 and women=73) from the employees of Semnan Medical Sciences Organization who were selected by random sampling method. In this research, Halpin and Croft’s (1963) Organizational Climate Questionnaire (OCQ), Ames et al.’s (2006) Narcissistic Personality Questionnaire, and Spector et al.’s (2006) Counterproductive Behavior Checklist (CWB-C) were used to collect data. Results: The findings of the research indicated that narcissism had a positive and significant effect on counterproductive behavior, and positive organizational climate had a negative and significant effect on counterproductive behavior. However, the indirect effect of narcissism on counterproductive behavior through organizational climate was not significant. Conclusion: The evidence obtained from this research shows that organizations can reduce counterproductive behaviors in the workplace by encouraging and promoting a cooperative, positive, and intimate atmosphere among employees.