Causes and Consequences of CEO Narcissism in Chinese Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review

Over the past decade, research on CEO narcissism has garnered significant attention from both academia and practitioners, particularly regarding its multiple implications for corporate outcomes. However, the existing literature in this domain remains fragmented, with notable gaps in the research framework and thematic coverage. Specifically, there is a paucity of systematic evaluations addressing CEO narcissism in the context of Chinese enterprises. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review encompassing extant research on CEO narcissism within Chinese firms. We formulate two key research questions and analyze a sample of 23 peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2025. Through a comprehensive synthesis of the literature, we identify the antecedents and consequences of CEO narcissism, revealing three critical limitations in current research: (a) despite a growing scholarly interest in Chinese enterprises, empirical studies remain scarce; (b) existing research mainly focuses on the impact of CEO narcissism on the organizational level, ignoring that on the individual level; (c) few studies investigate the formative factors influencing CEO narcissism. So, we propose an integrated research framework delineating the causal pathways and outcomes of CEO narcissism. Finally, we outline actionable directions for future research to advance theoretical and empirical understanding in this field.