The Effect of Core Self-Evaluation of Female Salesperson on Sales Performance

Purpose: This study aimed to empirically demonstrate how self-esteem, self-efficacy, locus of control, and neuroticism, which is core self-evaluation factors of door-to-door salespersons within food and cosmetic retail industry, affected the sales performance of female salespersons via job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Research design, data and methodology: Using a 23-item questionnaire constructed based on previous studies, this study selected six domestic door-to-door sales companies and conducted a 1:1 face-to-face survey with female door-to-door salespersons belonging to branches and agencies in Seoul and the capital region. The data of 208 respondents were analyzed. The results of path analysis based on structural equation modeling and mediation analysis through the Sobel test were presented. Results: Self-efficacy and locus of control had the largest effect on job satisfaction and organizational commitment, respectively. Neuroticism, however, did not significantly influence job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Overall, core self-evaluation factors positively affected sales performance via job satisfaction but not via organizational commitment. Conclusions: This study found that factors which were oriented to female salespersons' ability and sales goals, such as self-efficacy and job satisfaction, were considered important in managing them in the door-to-door sales-distribution channels. In the future, policies should be developed for managing female door-to-door salespersons to help them achieve job satisfaction.