An investigation into independent small business owners' perception of franchisee relationships. Issue 8 (10th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perrigot, Rozenn; Hussain, Dildar; Windsperger, Josef
• Is Part Of: International journal of retail & distribution management. Volume 43:Issue 8(2015)
• Page Start: 693
• Page End: 711
• Publication Date: 2015-08-10
• Subjects: Retail trade -- Management -- Periodicals; Physical distribution of goods -- Management -- Periodicals; 658.87
• DOI: 10.1108/IJRDM-01-2014-0010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-0552

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – The purpose of this paper is to explore independent small business owners' perceptions of franchisees relationships with their franchisors, their fellow franchisees within the chain, their employees and their customers. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – The authors use a qualitative approach and, more specifically, 26 in-depth interviews conducted with independent small business owners from various business sectors. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – These independent small business owners perceive that franchisees have a dependency-based relationship with their franchisors; a competition-based relationship with their fellow franchisees; a rather complicated relationship with their employees; and a superficial relationship with their customers. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title> <p> – This study contributes to the franchising literature by presenting an outside-chain view of franchisees' relationships with their franchisors, other franchisees, employees and customers. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Practical implications</title> <p> – The findings may have practical implications for franchisors, enabling them to better understand the concerns of independent small business owners as potential franchisee candidates. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – The outside-chain view of franchisees' relationships is innovative.</p> </sec> </abstract>