No abstract

No abstract

Purpose -Although Australian franchising sector regulation promotes system disclosure and provides for mandatory conflict mediation, there is some concern that inequities exist within the conflict management process. From 2006 to 2008 no less than four government inquiries into franchising took place in Australia in an attempt to resolve problems occurring in the sector. A major issue was that of the perceived imbalance of power in the franchisor-franchisee relationship, which often results in conflict between the two parties. The purpose of this paper is to extend the conflict literature in dyadic exchange relationships through investigating the causes of conflict from the franchisor and franchisee perspectives. Design/methodology/approach -Exploratory research is undertaken to identify the major causes of franchising conflict. Face-to-face interviews are conducted with 24 franchising experts, such as lawyers and mediators, to draw upon their considerable experience in the sector. Findings -The key findings suggest that a lack of due diligence is associated with the formation of unrealistic expectations which increases the potential for future relational conflict. Although franchising experience impacts upon operational approaches and conflict, the role played by third parties and market conditions both appear to exacerbate dissatisfaction in franchise systems. Research limitations/implications -This research is exploratory and therefore the findings are tentative. The preliminary conceptual models will be tested in a large quantitative survey of key franchising stakeholders in the near future. Originality/value -With the Australian franchising sector presently under intense scrutiny by regulators this research is timely and important. It is expected that the findings will provide government and industry representatives with a more balanced understanding of the causes of franchising conflict so that preventative action may be taken.

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to investigate success factors pertinent to the management of indigenous businesses through the identification of points of intervention at the systemic and structural levels. Through this approach, the economic and social values that First Nations communities attach to intangible indigenous cultural heritage (ICH) and indigenous cultural intellectual property (ICIP) may be both recognised and realised as assets. Design/methodology/approach-This paper adopts a multidisciplinary approach to address a global issue of economic and social significance to First Nation peoples, their businesses and the Australian Aboriginal communities. The authors adopt a First Nation epistemological standpoint that incorporates theoretical perspectives drawn from a diverse range of fields and theories (Preston, 2013), as well as advocate the use of indigenist methodology for research with First Nation peoples as it is underpinned by critical race theory. Findings-The authors argue conceptually that accounting, accountability and auditing consideration are required to fully identify what is impacting the successful management of indigenous enterprises. Specifically, in relation to accounting, elders should be included to assist in valuing the intangible ICH and ICIP assets. Furthermore, the authors emphasise the need to improve the financial and commercial literacy levels of indigenous entrepreneurs. Practical implications-The authors prescribe the use of tools for the accounting treatment of ICH and ICIP as intangible assets within an Australian regulatory environment and define an auditing process and accountability model incorporating cultural, social and environmental measures. A central tenet of this model relates to improving levels of personal and commercial financial literacy in the First Nation participants. Collectively, these factors promote informed participation and decision-making, and may promulgate more sustainable outcomes. Social implications-Integrated thinking requires all these factors to be considered in a holistic manner, such that a First Nation enterprise and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can understand, and make decisions based on, the overall impact it has on all their stakeholders and generally on the society, the environment and the economy. Originality/value-Integrated thinking requires all factors to be considered in a holistic manner, such that a First Nation enterprise and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can understand, and

No abstract

No abstract

PurposeThis research paper aims to understand the variability of performance among franchisees in a given system.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative, case study approach was used to get a clearer and deeper picture of the main issues and parameters. Nine franchisees across three systems were interviewed, and the marketing and management practices of high and average performing franchisees were compared.FindingsMajor contrasts have been identified between high and average franchisee performers, suggesting that entrepreneurial franchisees may have superior marketing and management systems that are not readily identifiable.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to an eventual theory of effective marketing.Practical implicationsBoth franchisors and franchisees could use these findings to improve their marketing performance.Originality/valueProvides a case study to aid understanding of performance variability among franchisees.

Purpose -The rapid growth of the Australian franchising sector since the 1980s has been accompanied by tension, conflict and disputation, causing concern for regulatory bodies. However, little is currently known about the antecedents of conflict in franchising, thus, the purpose of this paper is to address this deficiency by exploring the antecedent factors associated with conflict in this domain. Design/methodology/approach -A series of 11 multiple case studies, involving 30 protocol discussions with franchisors and franchisees, was undertaken across a variety of franchise systems in order to explore the topic and to refine the research question and develop hypotheses for the next stage of the research. Findings -A number of themes emerged from the qualitative investigation which led to the development of 12 research propositions that include constructs such as expectations confirmation, trust, openness, perceived support and relationship satisfaction in attempting to explain the antecedent causes of conflict in franchising.Research limitations/implications -The qualitative nature of this research has provided rich information that will inform future confirmatory research via quantitative methods through hypotheses testing. Thus, the findings provide a solid framework for future investigations in this important research domain. Originality/value -The contribution of this research is significant in that it provides unique knowledge regarding the complex issues surrounding conflict in franchising. Furthermore, it informs future research with regards to the dynamics of conflict in this area.