The nature of narcissism: a review and expansion of research on narcissism in the workplace

This chapter offers a systematic review of narcissism in the workplace. Drawing on a review of 73 articles published in leading management journals from 2011 to 2023, it identifies key patterns in how narcissism has been conceptualized, measured, and studied. Findings reveal a strong emphasis on grandiose narcissism, particularly among formal leaders, with limited attention to antecedents, relational impacts, and subtypes. To address these gaps, the chapter integrates insights from clinical psychology, where narcissism’s developmental pathways, dimensionality, and treatability have been more fully explored. While drawing from clinical psychology enriches management research, the chapter also argues that management insights—especially on narcissism’s relational and social implications—can inform clinical understanding and practice. By bridging management and clinical perspectives, it proposes new directions for studying narcissism in organizational contexts—advancing theory, broadening outcomes examined, diversifying methods, and developing evidence-based interventions. The analysis underscores the value of interdisciplinary integration for understanding narcissism’s complex role in organizational life.