My Boss is a Narcissist Bully: A Game Theoretic Approach to Stop Bullies

Pascal Stiefenhofer, Cafer Deniz, Liangxun Xie and Jing Qian
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Pascal Stiefenhofer: Department of Economics, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
Cafer Deniz: Department of Economics, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
Liangxun Xie: Department of Economics, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
Jing Qian: Department of Economics, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK

Journal of Economic Analysis, 2025, vol. 4, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: This paper examines strategies for responding to workplace bullying perpetrated by narcissistic leaders. Using a game-theoretic framework, we develop a three-stage sequential game that incorporates a simultaneous war-of-attrition in the final stage to capture the dynamics of escalation and conflict resolution. Our analysis reveals that victims benefit from consistently signaling a willingness to escalate and formally report abusive behavior, rather than ignoring or tolerating it. Moreover, we demonstrate how leveraging a narcissist’s inherent fears—such as threats to reputation and loss of control—can empower victims to steer the interaction toward favorable equilibrium outcomes. This integrated approach offers a robust framework for understanding and mitigating the complex challenges posed by narcissistic boss bullying.

Keywords: Bullying; Narcissist; Game Theory; Nash Equilibrium (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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