Narcissistic leadership and job satisfaction of auditors: the role of leader-member exchange and work stress

Purpose The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of narcissistic leadership on job satisfaction among Chinese auditors, while also investigating the mediating effects of leader-member exchange and work stress. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a questionnaire survey data collection method and used structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The sample included 257 auditors from three major cities in China. Findings Research indicates leader-member exchange acts as a mediator between narcissistic leadership and auditors’ job satisfaction. Additionally, narcissistic leadership has a positive effect on work stress. Originality/value The findings highlight the negative role of narcissistic leadership in organizations and provide practical inspiration for accounting firms in China. This contribution is important given the paucity of research on auditors’ job satisfaction, particularly in the Chinese context.