• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.25-38
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• 2012

In general, commercial franchisors prefer franchisees with high entrepreneurship and business capability. However, these entrepreneurial franchisees with high capability tend to depend less on franchisors. Although franchisees with less entrepreneurship and low capability need intensive care from franchisors, some of them result in business failure due to improper supports from incapable franchisors. This paper suggests several propositions regarding social franchising's role in supporting the low-income urban people on the premise that social franchising or micro-franchising provides implications for franchisor strategic orientations for franchisees with little capital. Through literature review about social franchising and micro franchising, some implications are drawn. Many social enterprises use franchising to get growth and sustainability, because franchising allow social enterprise to expand its scale and to achieve economies of scale despite of its non-commercial and social purpose. And continuous support and training undertake the most important role to achieve its social purpose. In commercial franchising, especially small business format franchising sector, franchisor have to consider not only commercial purpose but also social responsibility because of low capability and less entrepreneurship of franchisee. If franchisor pursue only own profit, this can increase the conflict and franchise system failure. So far many franchisors are concerned with own profit and external growth. But it is necessary to consider symbiotic relationship, social responsibility and sustainability more for the sake of desirable industrial growth in the future.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.61-118
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• 2008

The purpose of this research is to construct research framework for international franchising based on existing literature and to identify research components in the framework. Franchise can be defined as management styles that allow franchisee use various management assets of franchisor in order to make or sell product or service. It can be divided into product distribution franchise that is designed to sell products and business format franchise that is designed for running it as business whatever its form is. International franchising can be defined as a way of internationalization of franchisor to foreign country by providing its business format or package to franchisee of host country. International franchising is growing fast for last four decades but academic research on this is quite limited. Especially in Korea, research about international franchising is carried out on by case study format with single case or empirical study format with survey based on domestic franchise theory. Therefore, this paper tries to review existing literature on international franchising research, providing research framework, and then stimulating new research on this field. International franchising research components include motives and environmental factors for decision of expanding to international franchising, entrance modes and development plan for international franchising, contracts and management strategy of international franchising, and various performance measures from different perspectives. First, motives of international franchising are fee collection from franchisee. Also it provides easier way to expanding to foreign country. The other motives including increase total sales volume, occupying better strategic position, getting quality resources, and improving efficiency. Environmental factors that facilitating international franchising encompasses economic condition, trend, and legal or political factors in host and/or home countries. In addition, control power and risk management capability of franchisor plays critical role in successful franchising contract. Final decision to enter foreign country via franchising is determined by numerous factors like history, size, growth, competitiveness, management system, bonding capability, industry characteristics of franchisor. After deciding to enter into foreign country, franchisor needs to set entrance modes of international franchising. Within contractual mode, there are master franchising and area developing franchising, licensing, direct franchising, and joint venture. Theories about entrance mode selection contain concepts of efficiency, knowledge-based approach, competence-based approach, agent theory, and governance cost. The next step after entrance decision is operation strategy. Operation strategy starts with selecting a target city and a target country for franchising. In order to finding, screening targets, franchisor needs to collect information about candidates. Critical information includes brand patent, commercial laws, regulations, market conditions, country risk, and industry analysis. After selecting a target city in target country, franchisor needs to select franchisee, in other word, partner. The first important criteria for selecting partners are financial credibility and capability, possession of real estate. And cultural similarity and knowledge about franchisor and/or home country are also recognized as critical criteria. The most important element in operating strategy is legal document between franchisor and franchisee with home and host countries. Terms and conditions in legal documents give objective information about characteristics of franchising agreement for academic research. Legal documents have definitions of terminology, territory and exclusivity, agreement of term, initial fee, continuing fees, clearing currency, and rights about sub-franchising. Also, legal documents could have terms about softer elements like training program and operation manual. And harder elements like law competent court and terms of expiration. Next element in operating strategy is about product and service. Especially for business format franchising, product/service deliverable, benefit communicators, system identifiers (architectural features), and format facilitators are listed for product/service strategic elements. Another important decision on product/service is standardization vs. customization. The rationale behind standardization is cost reduction, efficiency, consistency, image congruence, brand awareness, and competitiveness on price. Also standardization enables large scale R&D and innovative change in management style. Another element in operating strategy is control management. The simple way to control franchise contract is relying on legal terms, contractual control system. There are other control systems, administrative control system and ethical control system. Contractual control system is a coercive source of power, but franchisor usually doesn't want to use legal power since it doesn't help to build up positive relationship. Instead, self-regulation is widely used. Administrative control system uses control mechanism from ordinary work relationship. Its main component is supporting activities to franchisee and communication method. For example, franchisor provides advertising, training, manual, and delivery, then franchisee follows franchisor's direction. Another component is building franchisor's brand power. The last research element is performance factor of international franchising. Performance elements can be divided into franchisor's performance and franchisee's performance. The conceptual performance measures of franchisor are simple but not easy to obtain objectively. They are profit, sale, cost, experience, and brand power. The performance measures of franchisee are mostly about benefits of host country. They contain small business development, promotion of employment, introduction of new business model, and level up technology status. There are indirect benefits, like increase of tax, refinement of corporate citizenship, regional economic clustering, and improvement of international balance. In addition to those, host country gets socio-cultural change other than economic effects. It includes demographic change, social trend, customer value change, social communication, and social globalization. Sometimes it is called as westernization or McDonaldization of society. In addition, the paper reviews on theories that have been frequently applied to international franchising research, such as agent theory, resource-based view, transaction cost theory, organizational learning theory, and international expansion theories. Resource based theory is used in strategic decision based on resources, like decision about entrance and cooperation depending on resources of franchisee and franchisor. Transaction cost theory can be applied in determination of mutual trust or satisfaction of franchising players. Agent theory tries to explain strategic decision for reducing problem caused by utilizing agent, for example research on control system in franchising agreements. Organizational Learning theory is relatively new in franchising research. It assumes organization tries to maximize performance and learning of organization. In addition, Internalization theory advocates strategic decision of direct investment for removing inefficiency of market transaction and is applied in research on terms of contract. And oligopolistic competition theory is used to explain various entry modes for international expansion. Competency theory support strategic decision of utilizing key competitive advantage. Furthermore, research methodologies including qualitative and quantitative methodologies are suggested for more rigorous international franchising research. Quantitative research needs more real data other than survey data which is usually respondent's judgment. In order to verify theory more rigorously, research based on real data is essential. However, real quantitative data is quite hard to get. The qualitative research other than single case study is also highly recommended. Since international franchising has limited number of applications, scientific research based on grounded theory and ethnography study can be used. Scientific case study is differentiated with single case study on its data collection method and analysis method. The key concept is triangulation in measurement, logical coding and comparison. Finally, it provides overall research direction for international franchising after summarizing research trend in Korea. International franchising research in Korea has two different types, one is for studying Korean franchisor going overseas and the other is for Korean franchisee of foreign franchisor. Among research on Korean franchisor, two common patterns are observed. First of all, they usually deal with success story of one franchisor. The other common pattern is that they focus on same industry and country. Therefore, international franchise research needs to extend their focus to broader subjects with scientific research methodology as well as development of new theory.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.571-577
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• 2002

The foodbank program is one of the social welfare programs that collects donated food and grocery products from the nation's food and grocery industry and distributes them to people who are in need. The purposes of this study were to: (a) investigate the food donators' perceptions of the foodbank program, (b) analyze the attitude toward the program by businesses, (c) compare the opinions on whether to donate or not, and (d) examine the frequency and category of the donated food. This research was conducted on three donator groups, such as contract foodservice management companies, franchising restaurant companies, and food manufacturing and grocery companies. A total of 63 donators participated in this survey. The main results of the investigation on the operating conditions were as follows; (a) From the donators perspective, 73.0% and 71.0% of the respondents recognized the definition and purpose of this program, respectively. (b) Only 33.3% of respondents recognized the tax benefits of donating. (c) Contract foodservice management companies, and food manufacturing and grocery companies recognized the program more than franchising restaurant companies, and food manufacturing and grocery companies donated more than any of the others. (d) Most of the donated foods were bakery and confectionery, rice, and milk and dairy Products.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.43-53
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• 2014

Purpose - This study suggested a practical model for super supermarkets (SSMs) and small- and medium-sized stores to grow together. Super centers expanded their business. However, after the retail distribution law was revised in 2009, mutual cooperation between large and small enterprises resulted in social issues and people raised the issue of profitability. Research design, data, and methodology - This study investigated cases of regulation over distribution in Japan, France, and other countries to reveal implications and recommendations. Results - This study demonstrated how SSM and middle and small supermarkets could grow together by franchising and using cooperative society law. Franchising was a mutual growth model whereby the franchiser provided franchisees with large enterprise systems and utilities while franchisees could provide the franchiser with local information. They could thus build trust in each other to facilitate a mutual growth model. Further, the voluntary franchise system's model facilitated the mutual growth model. Conclusions - This study demonstrates that the franchise system and cooperative society could constitute an ideal model whereby large enterprises and middle and small stores could rely upon each other and grow together.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.73-88
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• 2020

The majority of previous research on start-ups consist of research on leading variables that affect the entrepreneurial intention related to start-ups established by young people, college students or senior citizens, and the influencing relationships regarding start-ups in the sense of their form such as independent start-ups, franchising start-ups, small business start-ups, etc. It is difficult to find research on entrepreneurial intention targeting office workers. This study investigates the question of how office workers' entrepreneurial mindset affects their entrepreneurial intentions, focusing on mediating role of social capital and moderating role of state-action orientation. We use survey data to empirically test the relationships between the variables in question. This study finds the presence of the positive effect of entrepreneurial mindset on social capital that significantly promotes entrepreneurial intention, demonstrating mediating role of social capital. We understand the existence of moderator, action state, showing that entrepreneurial intention is affected by interaction of entrepreneurial mindset and action state, not entrepreneurial mindset alone. We propose some policy implications based on the results of this study, and lists the limitations of the study.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.45-51
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• 2019

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to propose a win-win development plan for not only suppliers of delivery applications but also traditional market vendor companies and delivery riders by analyzing existing delivery models and presenting a new delivery model to enhance competitiveness of the traditional market using delivery apps. Research desgin, data, and methodology - Specifically, small retailers, such as traditional markets and supermarkets, presented a compromised delivery model that utilizes the platform of specialized delivery app service providers for order reception, and that the delivery is delivered by delivery systems jointly hired by Vendor companies, such as franchising companies. To validate the significance of the trade-off delivery model, a cost-benefit analysis was conducted by those involved in the delivery application. Results - From the perspective of suppliers of specialized delivery applications, it is analyzed that the use of specialized delivery applications in traditional markets will be a new market opportunity for service providers to achieve increased sales. It is expected that consumer choice and satisfaction will be increased as convenience and accessibility of traditional market businesses that were available only through direct visit from the user side of the delivery application will be expanded. From the standpoint of delivery application franchises, it is analyzed that they can seek to increase sales and increase customer service as well as ease labor cost burden due to joint employment of delivery riders. The delivery rider will be able to seek to improve customer service due to job security, wage stability, risk reduction and overheated competition due to direct employment. Conclusion - In conclusion, the compromised delivery model solved the problems raised in the preceding study conducted on delivery application suppliers, users, franchises, and riders to establish that it could be a strategic alternative to increasing sales and expanding detailed rights for the self-employed in the traditional market, which are experiencing difficulties in management. However, the adoption of a compromise delivery model requires social consensus from those involved in the delivery application and requires legal, institutional and policy support, which will require continued follow-up research on the delivery model in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.23-37
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• 2022

Purpose: The Korean franchise market has undergone drastic growth in recent years. Followed by expansion of franchise business types, relevant legal matters have diversified. Compared to conventional economic laws that focused on resolving problems related to unfair transactions between franchisors and franchisees, more diverse labor laws have emerged recently due to governance and economic dependencies of franchise structure. However, it was found that the business environment of franchisees and working conditions of franchisee employees have not changed accordingly due to the unique structure of franchise business. Though franchisees are entrepreneurs independent from franchisors, they are still under franchising contract with the franchisors. For instance, employees of franchisees have been exposed to malpractices in regard to pay, time, and other working conditions. These malpractices may show the ineffectiveness of current labor laws. Labor management is an important issue for sustainability of franchise businesses. Negative publicity of franchises generated from violating relevant labor laws may have significant negative impact on overall image of franchised brands. However, franchisors should not hold franchisees fully responsible for legal violations in terms of labor management but strive to prevent relevant risks. Thus, the recent amendment in labor law related to increased minimum wage and reduced worktime have called for more attention to effectively implementing the law. Research design, data, and methodology: This study was conducted through a review of franchise-related laws and various institutions and policies. Results: It is further needed for all parties, including franchisors, franchisees, and franchisee employees, to take collaborative actions to improve working conditions of franchisees. Therefore, this study aims to propose appropriate and effective response plans toward recent changes in the Minimum Wage Act, while strengthening sustainability of franchisors, franchisees, and their employees. Conclusions: The proposal mainly contains plans regarding profit-related aids and profit sharing/cost reduction strategies for franchisees, as well as collective bargaining in the franchisor-franchisee relation. More detailed suggestions are included. Conclusions: This proposal may help franchisors and policymakers develop business plans and policies in improving business conditions of franchisees and working conditions of franchisee employees.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.107-134
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• 2021

Purpose - Korean firms have entered the Mongolia, the world's top 10 resource rich country with huge market potential, since the diplomatic relations between Korea and Mongolia were established in 1990, but little is known about Korean firms' entry strategy in the Mongolian market. With this background, this study aims to investigate the seven cases of Korean firms doing business in Mongolia (SK Telecom, Samsung S1, T-Money, E1 Energy, Cafe Bene, E-Mart, and CU). Methodology - this study is based on numerous primary and secondary data about the Mongolian market, as well as Korean firms in Mongolia. Findings - the following three implications were derived from our case analysis: first, when entering into Mongolia, a thorough analysis of political and social risks and a good understanding of institutional voids should be preceded. Second, for this reason, entering through cooperation with local partners, such as joint ventures or franchising, is expected to increase the possibility of success. Third, unlike in the early days of Korean firms in Mongolia, the business environment in Mongolia has become more stable and predictable, and a friendly atmosphere for Koreans and Korean firms is forming, increasing the possibility of success and settlement of Korean firms. Research implications - this study contributes to extant literature by providing more systematic research on Korean firms in Mongolia and by presenting practical implications through the analysis of success and failure cases of Korean firms in the Mongolian market.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.33-43
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• 2018

Purpose - In hotel industry, quality of leader-member exchange(LMX) relationship is very critical, because it impacts on the employee's work attitude and behaviors. Thus, this research examines the effect of LMX on employee loyalty in the context of hotel business and identifies mediating roles of work stressors, work role performance in the relationship between LMX and employee loyalty. This research suggests the guidelines for how hotel leaders should manage their employees and build employee loyalty that improve management and business performance. Research design, data, and methodology - This study tests the structural relationship between LMX, work stressors, work role performance, and employee loyalty. Work role performance divide into three sub-dimensions such as individual task proficiency, individual task adaptivity, and individual task proactivity. In order to examine the purposes of this research, research model and hypotheses were developed. All constructs were measured with multiple items developed and tested in the previous studies. The data were collected from 113 franchise hotel employees and were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and SmartPLS 3 program. Result - The findings of this research are as follows. First, leader-member exchange(LMX) have significant positive impacts on work stressors, work role performance, and employee loyalty. Second, work stressors have significant negative impacts on work role performance and employee loyalty. Third, work role performance has significant positive impact on employee loyalty. Conclusions - The outcomes of this research indicate that hotel leaders should focus on the dyadic relationship with their employees how to improve employee productivity through LMX relationship. In turn, the quality of this relationship influences employees's work attitudes and behaviors. As a result of increasing job demands in hotel business which relies heavily on human resources, the hotel leader must find ways to prevent or reduce stressors and associated strains. If hotel employees perceive the high quality of LMX relationship, they improve their work role performance which influences loyalty. Therefore, the hotel leaders should develop monetary or non-monetary reward system for the employees and, make an efforts to have unique social exchange relationships with employees.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2024

Purpose: The insurance market is steadily growing, with General Agencies (GA) experiencing rapid sales increases. GAs need marketing strategies to boost contract renewal intentions by effectively managing customer relationships. This study examines the impact of perceived customer orientation and sales orientation on customer trust, identification, and renewal intentions with GA insurance planners. Research design, data, and methodology: The study surveyed customers who subscribe to insurance products from GA-affiliated insurance planners. Out of 615 respondents, 251 valid responses were analyzed using frequency analysis, measurement models, and structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. Result: The study revealed that customer orientation positively affects cognitive trust and sense of identification. In contrast, sales orientation did not significantly impact customer trust or identification. Additionally, customer trust positively influences sense of identification, and both trust and identification positively affect the intention to renew the contract. Conclusions: Implementing a customer-oriented marketing strategy is essential for providing tailored customer management services and maintaining or improving the quality of customer relationships for insurance planners. Given that insurance products require long-term management, it is crucial for planners to build trust, enhance customer identification, and offer continuous customer management to meet customers' needs effectively.