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Researchers measure narcissism of CEOs

NEW YORK — If your boss’ ego barely fits through the door of his cushy corner office, prepare yourself for a roller-coaster ride. Companies led by narcissistic chief executives tend to change strategy more frequently and have more extreme performance fluctuations, according to new research by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business.

Researchers gauged the level of narcissism of more than 100 CEOs of computer software and hardware companies, and found that CEOs with inflated self-views gravitate toward bolder, highly visible managerial choices.

Narcissism was measured by the prominence of the CEO’s photograph in the company’s annual report, the frequency of the CEO’s name in company news releases, the CEO’s use of pronouns such as “I” or “mine” in interviews, and the CEO’s pay compared to the second-highest executive.

The research found no relationship between executive self-love and how well a company performed, however. Self-centered CEOs generated more irregular outcomes, though not necessarily better or worse on average.

Survey finds addiction to electronic alerts

NEW YORK — Admit it. You can’t ignore that little electronic ping that alerts you to a new e-mail or an incoming call. It’s even in your dreams.

More than a quarter of us report being so attached to our cell phones and laptops that we leave them alone only when we’re asleep, according to a recent survey by career Web site Yahoo! HotJobs.

The survey also reports that 26 percent of respondents feel wireless devices keep them on a permanent corporate leash.

Associated Press