This study aims to present the differentiating factors of B2B salesperson competency through comparing the suppliers and buyers in Korean steel industry in their perception on the importance and priority of B2B salesperson competency. Based on previous studies, analysis on B2B salesperson competency has been analyzed using the B2B salesperson performance competency measure factors and appropriately reorganizing them for better application to the steel industry. The required performance competencies of B2B salesperson can be categorized into 3 different types, namely social exchange competency, advisory sales competency, and skill & knowledge competency. AHP analysis was performed for analyzing the relative importance of B2B salesperson competency based on the factors of previous studies, in which categorization of the aforementioned types had been done. As the result, first, it has been confirmed that there is a difference in 1st layer main factors between the supplier group and buyer group. The supplier group valued the advisory sales competency, while the buyer group valued skill & knowledge competency. Second, it has been proved that there is same result of relative importance in 2nd detailed factors between the supplier group and buyer group. Both group confirmed that customer member, identify customer needs and communication skill are very important factors. Third, as the result of analysis on the gap between B2B salesperson competency of the suppliers and buyers, the gap in the product knowledge and sales team member need improvement for buyer’s satisfaction according to overall results of relative importance and priority. The steel supplier was able to develop B2B salesperson competency according to the buyers’ needs based on the result of this study, and furthermore it is expected that this study will be able to contribute to increase in buyer competitiveness through differentiation in B2B salesperson competency.

The purpose of this study was to empirically examine the effects of salespeople's self-determination, shared value; and communication satisfaction on their job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intention in a fashion company. Questionnaires were administered to 475 salespeople who worked in fashion shop at the time of the study. The data was analyzed via factor analysis, correlation analysis, and a structural equation model. The results indicated that self-determination was extracted as autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Only the relatedness of self-determination factors was positively correlated with formal and informal communication satisfaction. In addition, recognizing hared value was positively correlated with formal and informal communication satisfaction; whereas, the practice of shared value was positively correlated with formal, but not informal communication satisfaction. Formal communication satisfaction was significantly correlated with job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Conversely, informal communication satisfaction was significantly correlated with job satisfaction, but was not related to organizational commitment. Finally, job satisfaction was significantly correlated with organizational commitment and negatively correlated with turnover intention. Moreover, organizational commitment was negatively correlated with turnover intention. The implications of this research for human resources management within fashion companies are discussed in the concluding section of this paper.

This research aimed to examine the effect of emotional dissonance and emotional intelligence on the prosocial behavior of fashion salespeople in department stores, and whether emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between emotional dissonance and prosocial behavior. Moreover, we aimed to suggest a method to improve the prosocial behavior of salespeople as a strategy to obtain a continuous competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive fashion distribution environment. This research was conducted through a questionnaire survey, and 345 responses were collected from department store salespeople for the final analysis. First, the analysis results showed that the emotional dissonance of salespeople arose from their dealings with their organization and with customers. Prosocial behavior was deduced to be a factor of the cooperation with coworker and extra-role customer service. The emotional intelligence was deduced to be a factor of the use of emotion, regulation of emotion, self-emotion appraisal, and others'emotion appraisal. Second, with a higher level of emotional dissonance against the organization, there was less cooperation with coworker, while a higher emotional dissonance against customers resulted in increased cooperation with coworker. Third, it appeared that with a higher level of emotional dissonance against the organization, there was a higher utilization of use of emotion, self-emotion appraisal, and others'emotion appraisal of emotional intelligence. Fourth, as the regulation of emotion, self-emotion appraisal, and use of emotion were higher, there was more cooperation with coworker, whereas an increase in the utilization of one's own emotion and emotional control resulted in a higher level of extra-role customer service. Finally, emotional intelligence has a significant mediating effect between emotional dissonance and prosocial behavior. The above results suggest that for department stores to improve the prosocial behavior of their sales staff requires the establishment of a method to enhance the emotional intelligence of the staff. The results also indicate that there is a need for department stores to prepare a systemic tool to enable them to select people with a high degree of emotional intelligence when recruiting salespeople.

This research used an experimental design in an effort to assess the influence of brand gender and salespeople on the attitudes toward brands according to the males' gender identity traits. The study used a three-way split-plot experimental design, and data were analyzed by t-tests, and ANOVA. The subject of this research was men in their 20s and 30s, and a total of 178 people were selected through convenience- sampling. The findings are as follows: first, masculine male consumers preferred masculinity fashion brands; however, androgynous consumers preferred brands that reflect androgyny. Second, there were no differences in brand attitude according to the gender of the salesperson for the masculinity group, but the androgynous group estimated the brands as better when the salesperson was female. Third, there were no differences in the brand attitudes among consumers according to gender of the salesperson for the Galaxy; however, for Solid Homme, brand preference was stronger when the salesperson was a woman. Fourth, the influence of brand gender and salesperson gender on brand attitudes differed according to the gender of the consumer. Therefore, apparel companies must clearly understand the characteristics of consumer gender identity and execute proper marketing strategies in order to induce stronger positive attitudes toward their brands. Moreover, apparel companies should perceive that brand gender and the gender of the salesperson can consequently encourage brand preferences.

This research focuses on identifying and measuring key personality factors affecting the job performance of salesperson working in the machinery industry in Vietnam. A total number of 218 salesperson working in machinery industry were surveyed. After evaluating Cronbach’s Alpha and using the regression analysis technique, the results show the impact level of personality trait factors affecting the job performance of salesperson working in machinery industry. Ordered from the highest to the lowest effects on job performance, these factors are: agreeableness, openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism. Five research hypotheses are accepted. Specifically, openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness have positive impacts on job performance of salesperson working in machinery industry in Vietnam. However, neuroticism has a negative impact on job performance of salesperson. This research results indicate the level of impact of personality traits on the sales staff performance in machinery industry. Many people apply to this profession as a career choice. Each occupation is suitable for certain personality trait, which changes very little during adulthood. Research also shows that each personality trait always has its strengths and weaknesses. The educational environment should create conditions for learners to develop their character in a natural way.

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore how advertising for multilevel marketing brands affect the salesperson’s activity including customer-salesperson interactivity, work attitude, and perceived and actual performance after the campaign. Research Design, data, and methodology - This study collects experimental data, survey data, and actual sales data and applies statistical analyses such as factor analysis, t-tests, and a structural equation model. Results - The results show that advertising campaign can enhance a salesperson’s selling activities and provide wide managerial implications to a multilevel marketing firm by filling the gaps for the field of advertising research. Conclusions - Managerial implications include: i) multilevel marketing firms should consider advertising campaigns as a means of changing customer responses because advertising plays a significant role in increasing familiarity with, and knowledge of, attitudes toward the brand, which also helps salespeople interact with customers; ii) multilevel marketing firms should consider brand advertising as a means to support the sales activities of salespeople including sales effectiveness, work attitudes, and perceived performance, and iii) multilevel marketing firms should consider brand advertising as a means to enhance a salesperson’s pride and motivation for selling their brand, which will lead to improved sales performances.