The relationship between socially aversive personality of project managers and project performance: Evidence from the UAE

We study the relationship between socially aversive personality of project managers that influence behaviour, and project performance. Data from 409 project managers in the United Arab Emirates were collected using a 36-factor, workplace-focused dark personality questionnaire adapted from existing validated scales. Analysis was via Structural Equation Modelling (SPSS AMOS 29). Findings suggest that project managers: (i) exhibited higher Narcissism levels than Psychopathy or Machiavellianism; (ii) showed no significant variation in dark trait subscales by project characteristics; and (iii) display positively correlated dark trait subscales. Results also indicate: (iv) higher levels of each dark trait corresponding with a relationship to poorer project performance; and (v) Psychopathy’s independent effect not being statistically significant. Given their negative relationship with project outcomes, organizations should prioritize identifying and managing these traits. Given the paucity of studies relating to this research, our study was exploratory in nature. Thus, this study serves as a primer on project-focused dark personality research and offers a novel perspective on the antecedents of project performance.