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Franchising Research: Major Milestones, New Directions, and its Future within Entrepreneurship

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  • James G. Combs
  • David J. Ketchen Jr
  • Jeremy C. Short

Abstract

For decades, most franchising research leveraged one of three theoretical milestones—resource scarcity, agency theory, and plural form symbiosis—to answer questions about why, where, and how often firms use franchising. Today's franchising researchers are leveraging new theories, investigating under–examined aspects of franchising, and exploring contextual factors that shape its use. The articles in the special issue continue these “New Directions in Franchising Research.†This introduction describes the three milestones that form the theoretical foundation for today's new directions, summarizes the special issue articles and their implications, and explains why entrepreneurship researchers are well–positioned to advance knowledge about franchising. 1

Suggested Citation

  • James G. Combs & David J. Ketchen Jr & Jeremy C. Short, 2011. "Franchising Research: Major Milestones, New Directions, and its Future within Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(3), pages 413-425, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:35:y:2011:i:3:p:413-425
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2011.00443.x
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    1. Mark D Easton & Andrea M Noack & Leah F Vosko, 2021. "Are franchisees more prone to employment standards violations than other businesses? Evidence from Ontario, Canada," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 32(1), pages 39-64, March.
    2. Dubey, Vivek K. & Matthes, Joseph M. & Saini, Amit, 2023. "Impact of socioeconomic values collaboration on performance in franchising," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    3. Joonho Moon & Amit Sharma & Won Seok Lee, 2017. "Restaurant franchising and top management team," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 11(2), pages 299-319, June.
    4. Erik Markin & Chelsea Sherlock & R. Gabrielle Swab & Benjamin D. McLarty, 2024. "Franchise ownership types and noneconomic performance among quick service restaurants: do family operated franchises receive fewer health code violations?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(2), pages 851-869, August.
    5. Grace, Debra & Weaven, Scott & Frazer, Lorelle & Giddings, Jeff, 2013. "Examining the Role of Franchisee Normative Expectations in Relationship Evaluation," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 89(2), pages 219-230.
    6. Maryse J. Brand & Evelien P. M. Croonen & Roger T. A. J. Leenders, 2018. "Entrepreneurial networking: a blessing or a curse? Differential effects for low, medium and high performing franchisees," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 783-805, April.
    7. Navarro Sanfelix, Guillermo & Puig, Francisco, 2017. "New challenges in franchisor-franchisee relationship. An analysis from agency theory perspective," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).
    8. Anica Zeyen, 2021. "Commentary for Unjani clinics: meeting the need for scale through social franchising," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 10(3), pages 123-125, December.
    9. Rosado-Serrano, Alexander & Paul, Justin & Dikova, Desislava, 2018. "International franchising: A literature review and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 238-257.
    10. Begoña López-Fernández & Susana López-Bayón, 2018. "Antecedents of early terminations in franchising: franchisor versus franchisee cancelations," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 677-695, April.
    11. Sié, Laurent & Pett, Timothy & Hipkin, Ian, 2015. "Exploring franchise system development in France," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 4(C), pages 14-19.
    12. Semrau, Thorsten & Biemann, Torsten, 2022. "When sergeants can outrank generals: Person-organization fit and the performance of franchisees as agents of their franchisor," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(2).
    13. Kwanglim Seo & Jungtae Soh & Amit Sharma, 2018. "Do financial constraints affect the sensitivity of investment to cash flow? New evidence from franchised restaurant firms," Tourism Economics, , vol. 24(6), pages 645-661, September.
    14. Bretas, Vanessa P.G. & Alon, Ilan & Rocha, Thelma Valéria & Galetti, Jefferson R.B., 2021. "International governance mode choice: Evidence from Brazilian franchisors," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(2).
    15. Joonho Moon & Amit Sharma, 2014. "Franchising Effects on the Lodging Industry: Optimal Franchising Proportion in Terms of Profitability and Intangible Value," Tourism Economics, , vol. 20(5), pages 1027-1045, October.
    16. López-Fernández, Begoña & Perrigot, Rozenn, 2018. "Using Websites to Recruit Franchisee Candidates," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 80-94.
    17. Meschnig, Annika & Dubiel, Anna, 2023. "From formation to performance outcomes: A review and agenda for licensing research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    18. Karim Mignonac & Christian Vandenberghe & Rozenn Perrigot & Assâad El Akremi & Olivier Herrbach, 2015. "A Multi–Study Investigation of Outcomes of Franchisees’ Affective Commitment to Their Franchise Organization," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 39(3), pages 461-488, May.

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