Unlike many occupations, a salesperson’s performance is measured primarily by the extent to which he/she meets weekly, quarterly, and annual objectives. Long-term objectives, such as sales, profit, customer satisfaction, and market share quotas are driven by the achievement of short-term and more frequent quota targets, such as the number of leads generated or the number of sales meetings held. In addition, the sales process itself is defined by the achievement of “steps,” such as identifying prospects, securing meetings, identifying needs, overcoming resistance, and gaining commitment. Consequently, it is important to examine the sales agent’s need for achievement (NFA) and its influence on performance outcomes. To date, the research and anecdotal evidence have produced a few models that examine the outcomes of NFA, each explaining respective aspects of variance (Amyx and Alford, 2005; Riipinen, 1994; Hansemark, 1997). Extant literature in NFA domain provides a support for a link (positive correlation) between NFA and performance (Amyx and Alford, 2005). However, results are mixed concerning NFA’s influence on job satisfaction and organizational commitment (OC). Past literature contends that NFA will positively influence commitment (Steer, 1977; Morris and Snyder, 1979; Sager, 1991). However, in a recent empirically study, NFA was found not to have any significant effect on commitment and satisfaction (Amyx and Alford, 2005). Further, Johnson and Stinson (1975) empirically demonstrated that NFA negatively influence satisfaction. Contrarily, recent studies have argued that NFA positively influences satisfaction (Behrman and Perrault, 1984; Bluen, Barling, and Burns, 1990). An important variable often examined as key intervening variable in examining performance outcomes in management and sales domains is role clarity (Lang, Jeffrey, Bliese, and Adler, 2007). Role clarity is an indicator of the extent to which people understand their fit and purpose within an organization (Netemeyer, Maxham and Pullig, 1990; Fisher and Gitelson, 1983; Jackson and Schuler, 1985). This relative sense of fit and purpose may help explain the mixed results regarding the link between NFA and organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Previous research shows that salespeople with a high NFA perform better than those with a low NFA (Amyx and Alford, 2005). Organizations have a vested interest in retaining higher performing salespeople, and both job satisfaction (JS) and organizational commitment have been linked to retention. Given these relationships and the achievement-oriented nature of the sales job, it is important to understand the relationship, if any, between NFA and two outcome variables, namely, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Specifically, this study first explores direct influence of NFA on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Next, the study investigates how role clarity moderates the influence of NFA on organizational commitment and job satisfaction.

• Dheeraj Sharma(Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad)