What defines the extent to which a salesperson faces incompatible demands?

The correct choice is based on the concept of role conflict, which specifically refers to the situation where a salesperson faces incompatible demands from different sources. This could occur due to competing expectations from management, clients, and colleagues, leading to a scenario where fulfilling one obligation may hinder the ability to meet another.

Role conflict can create stress and confusion for salespeople, as they struggle to determine which set of expectations to prioritize. It highlights the complexity of the salesperson's role, especially in contexts where multiple stakeholders have differing or opposing goals.

In contrast, role overload pertains to having too many tasks or responsibilities to fulfill in a given time frame, which is different from having conflicting demands. Role ambiguity involves a lack of clarity about job responsibilities and expectations, which leads to uncertainty rather than incompatible demands. Role expectation relates to the anticipated behaviors and outcomes associated with a salesperson's position but doesn't specifically address the conflict that arises from competing demands.