CEO Narcissism, Public Concern, and Megaproject Social Responsibility: Moderated Mediating Examination

Abstract

Megaproject social responsibility (MSR) has become one of the critical strategic factors related to the sustainable development of megaprojects, but the question of which factors effectively drive MSR and how these factors work still remains underexamined. This study aimed to examine how the personal psychological traits of top managers whose organizations participate in megaprojects affect MSR practices, with a particular focus on chief executive officer (CEO) narcissism. According to a moderated mediation analysis conducted on a set of survey data from various organizations involved in megaprojects in China, the results revealed that the higher the degree of CEO narcissism, the lower the degree of social responsibility in the megaproject. At the same time, a CEO’s social responsibility cognition (SRC) mediates the relationship between CEO narcissism and the fulfillment of MSR. Public concern also drives organizational MSR and moderates the relationships between CEO narcissism, SRC, and MSR. These findings also provide practical suggestions for both business managers and policymakers on the implementation and governance of megaprojects.