Two models of dark triad traits and self-regulation dilemma predicting IP theft through self-deception

• Main Author: Yeo, Diana Mui Kheng
• Other Authors: Joyce Pang Shu Min
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/93537; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/49942
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Despite the increasingly serious and common acts of crime by employees towards their organizations, research findings on why employees turn bad are sparse. This study aimed to examine how dark triad personality traits and self-regulation dilemma is related to intellectual property (IP) theft. Using the results of data-driven studies on IP theft and the integrated model of employee theft, I developed two process models, one involving conflict of goals that meet ego needs and the other, conflict of goals that do not serve ego needs. I hypothesized that when motivated by personal goals, Dark Triad traits may moderate the relationship between goal conflict and cognitive and affective self-regulation dilemma, and, self-deception may mediate the relationship between Dark Triad traits, self-regulation dilemma and IP theft. I also proposed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy are connected to IP theft in both models, but narcissism is related to IP theft only in the model where personal goals serve ego needs. Two studies were designed to empirically evaluate the models. In the first study, I examined the measurement equivalence of the Short Dark 3, the measurement of Dark Triad traits, using an undergraduate sample (N=208). Parcelled-item confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to establish a three-factor model of Short Dark 3 for the local population, and correlational analysis and path analysis to was used to demonstrate the convergent-discriminant properties of Short Dark 3. Results of first study confirmed that the Short Dark 3 measures identical constructs consistently across different groups. The second study was an experiment where goal conflict, ego and audience effects were manipulated. MANOVA and path analysis were used to investigate the model fit of our proposed models on a sample, N=246. Model re-specification was performed, and goodness of fit indices indicated good model fit for both models. Motivation of personal goal led to cognitive and affective self-regulation dilemma in both models. In the model where personal goal did not serve ego needs, affective self-regulation dilemma and narcissism resulted in self-deception and narcissism also directly led to IP theft. Cognitive self-regulation dilemma led to opportunistic IP theft. In the model where personal goal served ego needs, self-deception fully mediated the relationship between Machiavellianism and IP theft, and, the relationship between affective self-regulation dilemma and IP theft. Psychopathy had a direct effect on IP theft. The findings further research in insider threat by empirically providing evidence of the psychological influences in the decision-making process that might lead an employee to commit acts of IP theft. Aside from contributing to the literature on insider threat, results of this research integrating self-regulation dilemma and Dark Triad traits to the mediation of IP theft through self-deceptive cognitive strategies can contribute to preventive intervention programs that organizations can develop to contain insider threat.