CEO Bright and Dark Personality: Effects on Ethical Misconduct

James R. Van Scotter, Karina De Déa Roglio

Journal of Business Ethics · 2020 · Volume 164 · Issue 3

Abstract

In recent years, misconduct by CEOs has led to firings, scandals, and financial losses for companies. Our study explores personality antecedents of CEO misconduct using Five-Factor Model personality traits and personality disorder profile similarity indices. The sample of 259 CEOs used in the analysis includes CEOs who were involved in well-publicized misconduct scandals as well as CEOs who had no misconduct scandals. Teams of trained raters measured CEO personality using psychometric personality rating scales and video-based assessment methods. Logistic regression results provided some support for hypotheses regarding relationships between ethical misconduct, fraud, excessive risk taking, and sexual misconduct and personality traits including “Big Five” traits and personality disorder profile similarity indices.

Keywords

Ethical misconduct, CEO personality, Video methods, Personality disorders, Fraud, Psychopathy

Enable JavaScript for citation tools and additional paper interactions.