Using necessary condition analysis in managerial psychology research: introduction, empirical demonstration and methodological discussion

PurposeIn this paper, the authors aim to present a novel methodological tool – necessary condition analysis (NCA) to aid managerial psychology researchers in properly testing necessity statements.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employ NCA to analyze whether three basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are necessary for work engagement.FindingsThe authors illustrate the value and application of NCA by revealing that basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are necessary for work engagement, as proposed by self-determination theory (SDT).Originality/valueThe authors illustrate the importance of the sufficiency-necessity distinction and the relevance of a necessity logic in managerial psychology. They also discuss NCA's methodological implications for managerial psychology research, theory and practice.