Elucidating salespeople's market orientation, proactive service behavior and organizational culture in the B2B banking sector: a Malaysian perspective

Abstract

Purpose

Considering that little is known on market orientation at the individual level, this study investigates the effects of individual market orientation on proactive service behavior, and subsequently, sales performance among business-to-business salespeople. Based on social cognitive theory and competing values framework, this paper also examines the interaction effects of organizational culture on the link between individual market orientation and proactive service behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sampled 539 business-to-business salespeople from 18 corporate banks in Kuala Lumpur by using a questionnaire survey.

Findings

The results of the study show that adhocracy culture strengthens the effects of information acquisition on proactive service behavior, while at the same time weakens the impact of coordination of strategic response on the same outcome. Meanwhile, rational culture displayed negative contingent effects of information dissemination on proactive service behavior.

Practical implications

Given its link to sales performance and proactive service behavior, banks should motivate their employees to embrace market orientation as individual competencies. This research outcome will aid managers in developing strategies and inculcating the right culture to ensure the market-oriented behaviors are internalized and transpired into positive outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the enrichment of the existing market orientation frameworks by offering underlying mechanisms (cultural environment and proactive service behavior) through which market-oriented behaviors contribute to the sales performance of business-to-business salespeople within the financial service industry. It is also among the earliest studies that examine the influence of individual market orientation and organizational culture on proactive service behavior.

Citation

Hamzah, M.I., Othman, A.K. and Hassan, F. (2020), "Elucidating salespeople's market orientation, proactive service behavior and organizational culture in the B2B banking sector: a Malaysian perspective", International Journal of Bank Marketing, Vol. 38 No. 5, pp. 1033-1057. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-10-2019-0388