Corporate Psychopaths, Productivity and Organisational Constraints

Reported to be schemers who use organisational rules and regulations to their own advantage, corporate psychopaths may be expected to abuse these rules and regulations to control and manipulate people, thereby creating constraints on organisational productivity.

In research in Australia it was found that employees working under corporate psychopaths more frequently reported that it was difficult for them to do their jobs because of having poor equipment or supplies, a lack of equipment or supplies or because of organisational rules and procedures. Similarly, these same employees reported that it was difficult for them to do their jobs because of other employees or because of their supervisor. They also reported work difficulties because of inadequate help from others and interruptions from other employees.

In UK research, it was found that under corporate psychopaths, employees have less freedom and authority to act independently in order to provide excellent service to customers.

Clearly corporate psychopaths as managers inhibit organisational productivity by increasing the level of unnecessary constraints on employees.

Corporate psychopaths use organisational rules and regulations to their own advantage to constrain, control and manage those who may oppose them. Productivity declines because experienced employees leave, training diminishes, communications degenerate and employees are left without effective direction.

For further details see the paper "Corporate Psychopaths and Productivity", by Boddy, C.R. in the journal 'Management Services', Spring, 26 - 30.