The moderating role of narcissism on the impact of leader learning goal orientation on follower adaptivity through follower goal orientation: a social cognitive theory perspective.

Abstract

Drawing from social cognitive theory, we hypothesize that leader learning goal orientation is associated with follower learning goal orientation, which in turn is associated with follower adaptive performance. Additionally, we investigate whether a dark-side personality characteristic - follower narcissism - has the potential to disrupt the leader-to-follower learning goal orientation social cognitive process. Our findings support our hypotheses such that follower learning goal orientation mediates the effect of leader learning goal orientation on follower adaptive performance, and that follower narcissism diminishes the indirect effect of leader learning goal orientation on follower adaptive performance via follower learning goal orientation. Theoretical and practical implications specific to follower social cognitive processes, narcissism, and adaptive performance are discussed.