Leader Narcissism, Crab Syndrome, and Employee Inaction: A COR-Based Examination
Burcu ÜZÜM 1*, Osman Seray ÖZKAN 2** and Simge SAMANCI
*** Kocaeli University (Kocaeli, Türkiye), Kocaeli Vocational School, Distance of Education Department, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ORCID: 0000-0001-8675-8952
** Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University (Balıkesir, Türkiye), Manyas Vocational School, Private Security and Protection Department, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ORCID: 0000-0001- 5326-8930
*** Hacettepe University (Ankara, Türkiye), Vocational School of Health Services, Medical Services and Techniques Department, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ORCID: 0000-0002- 1284-381X
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the impact of leader narcissism (LN) on inability to act (ITA) and examine the mediating role of crab syndrome (CS) in this dynamic. The relationships are theoretically grounded in the conservation of resources (COR) theory, which provides a framework for understanding how resources are allocated and depleted in organisational settings. SPSS was used for descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for measurement and structural model testing. In the study, LN was found to be the antecedent of CS and ITA. In addition, CS was also found to be the antecedent of ITA. Furthermore, it was determined that CS mediates the relationship between LN and ITA. The research extends the literature on LN and CS. The theoretical, managerial, and practical contributions and limitations of the research are presented, along with recommendations for future research.
Keywords: Leader narcissism, Crab syndrome, Inability to act, Conservation of resources theory, Nurses.
