Psychology of the Workplace
Importing cheaper parts may slow a company’s drive to innovate
A study of 6,024 Canadian manufacturers finds that importing cheap components from low-wage countries was linked to a 15 percent drop in research spending, as cheaper old products dulled the incentive to develop new ones.
When the boss is a narcissist, employees may start bending the rules
A study across two South Korean surveys finds that narcissistic leaders tend to create workplace uncertainty, which is linked to more employee cheating, especially among workers with greater job autonomy.
Rationalization, not pressure, emerges as key link between dark traits and unethical intent
A survey of accounting students near graduation traces how three "dark" personality traits connect to unethical workplace intentions, finding that specific mental justifications, not raw pressure, carry most of the weight.
Do dark personality traits help workers survive a toxic boss?
A new study finds that workers high in "dark" personality traits tend to fare better on well-being and advancement under a toxic boss, but still want to quit just as much as everyone else.
When perfectionism collides: Why mismatched standards between you and your boss can sink your performance
New research finds that mismatched perfectionism between employees and supervisors increases role ambiguity, which is linked to lower job satisfaction, higher burnout, and weaker performance ratings.
Why some accountants redesign their own jobs, and what personality has to do with it
New research finds that accountants' personalities, particularly openness and curiosity, predict whether they quietly reshape their jobs toward advisory work, even when their formal role doesn't call for it.
The four faces of a narcissistic boss, and how each one shapes your work life
A study of 442 German employees finds that "narcissistic boss" is too blunt a label: charm boosts engagement, rivalry erodes it, and a withdrawn leader may unexpectedly leave staff feeling more engaged, not less.
Do small slights at work actually matter for productivity? New research says yes
A study of a retail chain found that when managers delivered birthday gifts late, employees responded with 50% more sick days and fewer working hours, suggesting even tiny workplace slights can dent performance.
The ranking trick that fools managers and shoppers alike
A new study finds people consistently favor an option ranked 2nd of 8 over one ranked 4th of 16, even though they're statistically equal. The reason: we judge rankings by their distance from the top.
Why some people can’t stop working, even when they want to
A study of 43 professionals who can't stop working traces the habit back to childhood. Researchers find that an internalized "doer" identity, built to survive early demands, can quietly generate the very distress people suffer at work.