The Bright and Dark Sides of CEO Personality in Corporate Sustainability: A Critical Review

Following PRISMA, we review 47 studies on CEO traits and sustainability using the Dark Triad, Positive Self-regard, and institutional isomorphism frameworks. Narcissism is associated with CSR engagement and greenwashing; hubris with conditional green innovation; and overconfidence with mixed CSR outcomes and greater decoupling. Machiavellianism is linked to manipulation risks, while psychopathy is negatively associated with sustainability orientation. Core self-evaluation and related attributes generally support stakeholder-oriented engagement. Coercive, normative, and mimetic isomorphism help explain these relationships under different governance and financial conditions. The review distinguishes substantive engagement from symbolic compliance and identifies research priorities concerning endogeneity, personality measurement, and cross-country differences.