Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

South Africa is currently undergoing a phase of transformation that has indicated a shift from institutionalised oppression in all political, social and economic spheres to a society that is ideally open, free and democratic. Many aspects of life in South Africa are therefore changing as this transformation process is proceeding. It is this transformation process that has prompted interest in the area of economic empowerment amongst those who were previously disadvantaged in the "old" South Africa. The previously disadvantaged represent a large percentage of potentially economically active members of South African society. However, because of a high unemployment rate, other alternative forms of employment need to be sought, mainly through entrepreneurial endeavours. One such alternative, which is presented in this study, is the possible role that the franchise industry may play in economically empowering people that were previously disadvantaged. The purpose of this study is to theoretically and empirically examine the potential of franchising to act as a mechanism for economic empowerment. It explores the perceptions of franchisors, franchisees and financial institutions in regards to the current state of the franchise industry in order to assess the extent to which franchising does or does not act as a mechanism for economic empowerment. Conclusions have been drawn to correlate the theory and the empirical analysis of the surveys that were undertaken. It has been found that in many ways, franchising may act as a mechanism for economic empowerment but there are factors that inhibit the role that franchising can play in promoting this form of entrepreneurship. Where these negative factors have surfaced, a methodology has been presented in order to minimise such effect. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

Today the Taiwan food service industry is faced with growing public environmental concern, increasing requirement from government, and a more competitive market environment. Research related to environmental management in the Taiwan food service industry is still very limited. This research aims to study how corporate (head office) level decision makers in the food service chains recognize the impact of environmental issue on their business, and what factors might influence them putting this issue into firms' strategic plans. A series of questions have been developed based on the literature and the conceptual framework in order to gain an understanding on how the motivating factors can influence food service operators towards implementing environmental strategies. A questionnaire survey complemented by interviews was used to assess the influence of public concern, government's environmental policy, competitive advantage, top management commitment, firm's capability, and environmental orientation on environmental strategies in food service chains. For the survey study, 133 Taiwan food service franchisors who are on the registration list of the Taiwan Chain Store and Franchise Association (TCFA) were purposely chosen. The data obtained from the survey provided a wide-ranging exploration of what is happening overall in the food service chain regarding environmental strategies and the attitudes and perceptions towards motivating antecedents. Furthermore, the survey provided an opportunity to identify a pioneering company for the further in-depth case study in which each of the motivating factors and environmental strategies were studied in more detail, and the associated relationships between them and the key motivating factors were able to be determined. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2006.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf [82]).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-242). Also available in electronic version.

M.B.A. / Franchising systems in South Africa have experienced high and sustained growth over the last decade. The South African government has recognised and supports business format franchising as a low risk way of creating jobs, transferring skills and creating wealth. At the forefront of this growth, is the fast food franchising industry, which is made up of a mix of global brands and a significant few, highly successful, locally founded, franchised operations based on Portuguese or American cultures. The fast food industry in South Africa also consists of a number of successful "non franchised" Indian fast food operations, founded by South Africans of Indian descent. None of these entrepreneurs have taken the next logical step and developed their businesses into national franchises. This study sought to uncover the factors inhibiting the franchising of Indian fast food stores in South Africa and to determine whether there was a market for Indian fast foods amongst a sample of consumers. The findings were that the independent entrepreneurs lacked the skills and knowledge to enter franchising as the franchisor. In addition, there was a general mistrust of the franchising system and doubts as to whether there was sufficient broad appeal of Indian fast foods. The results of the consumer survey however suggested that Indian fast foods were popular across a cross section of the population. Consequently, the report recommended that existing Indian fast food entrepreneurs develop strategies to exploit the market opportunities presented and suggested that it is the entrepreneur who franchises first, that will gain first more advantage through pre-empting real estate and shaping customer preferences and tastes.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between internal environment, organizational form, and financial performance in hotel chains. Using a contingency framework, this study investigated the match between internal environmental factors--such as capital scarcity, monitoring cost, and asset specificity--and organizational form--such as company owned, franchised, or combination of both--in an attempt to distinguish between high and low performing hotel chains. The key findings of this study indicate that hotel chains which showed a "match" between the monitoring cost of their internal environmental factors and organizational form performed better than if those elements did not match. The other finding of this study indicates that hotel chains operating under different organizational forms, such as company-owned, franchised, and combination of both, did not differ in their financial performance levels which were measured in terms of return on investment and growth in unit sales. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in the lodging industry by introducing the contingency theory in investigating the interrelationship between internal environment, organizational form, and financial performance. In other words, this study utilized internal environmental factors such as capital scarcity, monitoring costs, and asset specificity as moderators in order to measure their impact on organizational forms and financial performance relationship. Specifically, this study provides unique ways to measure the internal environmental factors, organizational form, and financial performance: (1) capital scarcity was measured using financing activities data included in the statement cash flows, (2) organizational form of the firm was categorized into company-owned, franchised, and combination of both, and (3) financial performance was measured using return on investment (ROI) and growth in unit sales. From the industry point of view, the findings of this study will aid in recognizing organizational form in conjunction with internal environment and financial performance. This study provides empirical support with regard to the relative models in predicting appropriate organizational form that will show better financial performance. In other words, the firm that evaluates and analyzes its internal environmental factors could have the adequate organizational form that generates high profitability. From the theoretical point of view, this study provides a body of knowledge in franchising by providing empirical findings with regard to internal environmental factors in explaining the relationship between organizational form and financial performance. Furthermore, this study contributes to the existing agency theory literature in franchising by providing empirical research to the evaluative contingency theory. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study is to investigate franchisee turnover practice and empirically test the relationship between franchisee satisfaction and turnover behavior. A total of 402 franchisees of a quick service franchise system were surveyed by using two sets of structured questionnaires. Sixty-seven current and 24 terminated franchisee participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 29.8%. Based on the objective and research questions, two hypotheses were established and tested. The testing of the hypotheses indicated a significant difference between the satisfaction of terminated and current franchisees on service support, social interaction, and general satisfaction. Also, there is a relationship between franchisee’s satisfaction and his or her future intention. Through factor analysis two critical factors were identified closely related to the satisfaction and future intention of current and terminated franchisees. / Master of Science

The decline of employment globally with various countries and economies either in recession, post recession or on the brink of recession is a serious concern to governments, the private sector, civic organizations and the general population. Associated with this decline are dynamics of poverty, food insecurity, maladministration and corruption, civil war, and a new world order. Governments are now looking to implement and support successful solutions that have been tried and tested. It has been identified that franchising is successful solution that is on the increase globally. Franchising is a multibillion dollar revenue creator globally and accounts significantly for employment. The automotive sector is growing at an unprecedented rate with the greater number of motor cycles, cars, taxis, busses and trucks on the road. The Midas franchise is the second fastest growing franchise in South Africa. There are more than two hundred and twenty franchises in South Africa and surrounding countries. The aim of this research study is to investigate if franchising provides entrepreneurs, especially new business owners a more secure business start up, and to assess the success of the Midas franchise. The research methodology adopted in this study adopts a qualitative research method. The instruments used to obtain data are questionnaires, face to face interviews, observation and photography. The study area encompasses franchisees from the eThekwini Municipal area. Six Midas franchisees and the KZN regional Midas franchisor have been interviewed. The findings have proven to be remarkable, supporting the hypothesis which states that franchising is a successful tool to assist entrepreneurs. Most entrepreneurs have citied their contentment with being with a franchisee and their optimism to venture into more franchises. The franchisor boasted their rapid expansion in South Africa. There were also recommendations arising out of the study so as to enhance entrepreneurship and franchising in South Africa. / MBA University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2012.

MCom / Department of Business Management / See the attached abstract below