Examining the Impact of Supervisors’ Dark Tetrad Traits on Employees’ Commitment and Trust Behaviors: The Moderating Effect of Bottom-Line Mentality in Selected Banks in Takoradi, Ghana

Faustina  Ampong; Francis  Agyapong; Emmanuel  Asiedu

doi:10.69968/ijisem.2025v4i397-111

Authors

Faustina Ampong Research Scholar, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India.
Francis Agyapong Research Scholar, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India.
Emmanuel Asiedu Research Scholar, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2025v4i397-111

Keywords:

Dark Tetrads, Narcissism, Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, Sadism, Employee

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of supervisors' Dark Tetrad traits on employee commitment and trust within Ghanaian banks in Takoradi. Specifically, it explores how a "bottom-line mentality" might moderate this relationship

Methodology

A study investigated employee satisfaction within three Takoradi Metropolis banks. Using a simple random sample of 65 banking employees, researchers collected data through physical and online questionnaires. Results were analyzed using SPSS and ranked via the Relative Significance Index (RSI).

Findings

The study found that supervisors showed Dark Tetrad traits such as seeking attention, favors, admiration, and manipulating employees. Despite this, employees remained committed, trusted management decisions, and felt obligated to stay. However, supervisors prioritized profits and targets over employee well-being.

Originality

Supervisors in the study exhibited Dark Tetrad traits, such as manipulation and a craving for attention. Despite this, employees retained significant trust in management and displayed strong organizational commitment and loyalty. However, the supervisors prioritized profit and performance metrics over employee well-being.

References

[1] Abell L, Brewer G. The Dark Tetrad and antisocial behaviour in a community sample of college students. J Forensic Psychol Res Pract. 2014;17:295-304.https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2017.1361310

[2] Allahyarahmadi R. Investigation of the role and effect of social trust in societies based on sociological theories. Procedia-Soc Behav Sci. 2013;82:780-3.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.348

[3] Allen NJ, Meyer JP. The measurement and antecedents of affective, continuance and normative commitment. J Occup Psychol. 1990;63:1-18.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.1990.tb00506.x

[4] Brown S, Gray D, McHardy J, Taylor K. Employee trust and workplace performance. J Econ Behav Organ. 2015;116:361-78.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2015.05.001

[5] Buckels EE, Jones DN, Paulhus DL. Behavioural confirmation of everyday sadism. Psychol Sci. 2013;24(11):2201-9.https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613490749

[6] Carpenter CJ. Narcissism on Facebook: Self-promotional and anti-social behaviour. Pers Individ Differ. 2012;52:482-6.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2011.11.011

[7] Chabrol H, Bouvet R, Goutaudier N. Machiavellianism, self-monitoring, self-promotion and relational aggression on Facebook. Comput Hum Behav. 2017;36:258-62.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.076

[8] Chabrol H, Melioli T, Van Leeuwen N, Rodgers R, Goutaudier N. The Dark Tetrad: Identifying personality profiles in high-school students. Pers Individ Differ. 2015;83:97-101.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.03.051

[9] Chabrol H, Van Leeuwen N, Rodgers R, Séjourné N. Contributions of psychopathic, narcissistic, Machiavellian, and sadistic personality traits to juvenile delinquency. Pers Individ Differ. 2009;47(7):734-9.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2009.06.020

[10] Cohen L, Manion L. Research Methods in Education. London: Groom Helm Ltd; 1980.

[11] Covey SR, Merrill RR. The speed of trust: The one thing that changes everything. Simon and Schuster; 2006.

[12] Creswell J. Research Design: Quantitative and qualitative Approaches. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage; 2005.

[13] Darling HS. Basics of statistics calculation. Cancer Res Stat Treat. 2002;3(2):317.https://doi.org/10.4103/CRST.CRST_100_20

[14] Denzin NK, Lincoln YS. The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Sage; 2011.

[15] Duffy MK, Ganster DC, Pagon M. Social undermining in the workplace. Acad Manag J. 2002;45(2):331-51.https://doi.org/10.2307/3069350

[16] Eissa G, Wyland R, Gupta R. Supervisor to co-worker social undermining: The moderating roles of bottom-line mentality and self-efficacy. J Manag Organ. 2020;26(5):756-73.https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2018.5

[17] Fox N, Amanda H, Nigel M. Sampling and sample size calculation. East Midlands/Yorkshire: The National Institutes for Health Research. Research Design Service for the East Midlands/Yorkshire & the Humber; 2009.

[18] Freund R. Determining the effects of employee trust on organizational commitment [Doctoral dissertation]. Pepperdine University; 2014.

[19] Greenbaum RL, Mawritz MB, Eissa G. Bottom-line mentality as an antecedent of social undermining and the moderating roles of core self-evaluations and conscientiousness. J Appl Psychol. 2012;97(2):343-59.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025217

[20] Grijalva E, Newman DA. Narcissism and counterproductive work behaviour (CWB): Meta‐analysis and consideration of collectivist culture, Big Five personality, and narcissism's facet structure. Appl Psychol. 2015;64(1):93-126.https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12025

[21] Higgs M. The good, the bad and the ugly: Leadership and narcissism. J Change Manag. 2009;9(2):165-78.https://doi.org/10.1080/14697010902879111

[22] Kothari CR. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International; 2004.

[23] Kowalski CM, Rogoza R, Saklofske DH, Schermer JA. Dark triads, tetrads, tents, and cores: Why navigate (research) the jungle of dark personality models without a compass (criterion)? Acta Psychol. 2021;221:103-55.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103455

[24] Lambert E, Hogan N. The importance of job satisfaction and organizational commitment in shaping turnover intent: A test of a causal model. Crim Justice Rev. 2009;34(1):96-118.https://doi.org/10.1177/0734016808324230

[25] Lee K, Ashton MC. The dark triad, the big five, and the HEXACO model. Pers Individ Differ. 2014;67:2-5.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.01.048

[26] Međedović J, Petrović B. The dark tetrad. J Individ Differ. 2015.https://doi.org/10.1027/1614-0001/a000179

[27] Meyer JP, Stanley LJ, Parfyonova NM. Employee commitment in context: The nature and implication of commitment profiles. J Vocat Behav. 2012;80(1):1-16.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2011.07.002

[28] Miller JD, Lynam DR. Understanding psychopathy using the basic elements of personality. Soc Pers Psychol Compass. 2015;9:223-37.https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12170

[29] O'Meara A, Hammond S. The sadistic impulse and relating to others. In: Relating theory-clinical and forensic applications. London: Palgrave Macmillan; 2016. p. 277-91.https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-50459-3_21

[30] O'Boyle EH, Forsyth DR, Banks GC, McDaniel MA. A meta-analysis of the Dark Triad and work behaviour: A social exchange perspective. J Appl Psychol. 2012;97:557-79.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025679

[31] O'Meara A, Davies J, Hammond S. The psychometric properties and utility of the Short Sadistic Impulse Scale (SSIS). Psychol Assess. 2011;23:523.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022400

[32] Paulhus DL, Williams KM. The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. J Res Pers. 2002;36(6):556-63.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00505-6

[33] Rahman MS. The advantages and disadvantages of using qualitative and quantitative approaches and methods in language "testing and assessment" research: A Literature Review; 2020.

[34] Robinson SL. Trust and breach of the psychological contract. Adm Sci Q. 1996:574-99.https://doi.org/10.2307/2393868

[35] Roopa S, Rani MS. Questionnaire designing for a survey. J Indian Orthod Soc. 2012;46(4_suppl1):273-7.https://doi.org/10.1177/0974909820120509S

[36] Scherer KT, Baysinger M, Zolynsky D, LeBreton JM. Predicting counterproductive work behaviours with sub-clinical psychopathy: Beyond the Five-Factor Model of personality. Pers Individ Differ. 2013;55(3):300-5.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.03.007

[37] Schneider B. The people make the place. Pers Psychol. 1987;40:437-54.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1987.tb00609.x

[38] Sogunro OA. Selecting a quantitative or qualitative research methodology: An experience. Educ Res Q. 2002;26(1):3.

[39] Taherdoost H. Validity and reliability of the research instrument; how to test the validation of a questionnaire/survey in research; 2016.https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3205040

[40] Thibault T, Kelloway EK. The dark tetrad at work. Hum Perform. 2020;33(5):406-24.https://doi.org/10.1080/08959285.2020.1802728