When positive is negative: The moderating role of DT on the relationship between micro-daily events and counterproductive work behavior

Abstract The workplace is a context, in which, individuals experience diverse types of micro daily events. Taking into account the personality traits, emotions vary, as does the perception of micro daily events. This study examined the three dimensions of the dark triad personality (machiavelism, psychopathy, and narcissism) as moderators of the relationship between micro-daily events, positive and negative, and counterproductive work-related behaviors. To achieve this goal, 205 working adults took part in this study. The results showed that: (1) daily micro-events predicted CWB’s, in particular, when the ratio of daily micro-events was positive, the CWB’s decreased; (2) the dark triad moderated the relation between micro daily-events and CWB’s, such that CWB’s decreased as the ratio of daily micro-events increased for individuals with high and moderate DT levels. Such results proved to be fundamental for a better understanding of the behavior of employees in organizations, as well as the impact of daily events in the organizational environment. The implications for theory and practice were discussed.