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Although franchising is growing in importance as a form of business with considerable benefits to all participants, little research has been done to evaluate the factors that contribute to a successful franchise relationship from the viewpoint of the franchisee. This study is intended to provide valuable information for establishing an effective management strategy, with a view to improving the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee. The study will include an analysis of the predictors of a quality relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee; and attempts to increase the understanding of the relationships between the predictors of a quality relationship, which may contribute to the franchisee's performance and satisfaction. Using the survey responses of the franchisees of the Convenience stores within the Petroleum Industry, this study identifies key factors that affect the franchisee's motivation to become a franchisee, the franchisee's perception of the franchisor's support, the quality of the relationship, loyalty/commitment to the franchisor and the franchisee's performance. The results of this study provide strong support for the idea that the quality of the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee plays a key role in ensuring that the contractual relationship will lead to financial success for both parties. Recommendations provided will assist the franchisor in establishing an effective management strategy to improve the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee and thus improve the rate of success for both the franchisor and the franchisee. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2007.

Since the enactment of the Bayh-Dole Act in 1980, US universities have been given a tacit mandate to manage their intellectual assets in a commercializable way. However, university technology transfer offices have struggled to facilitate innovators and promote economic development because of asymmetric information and processes. After an analysis of premier university technology transfer offices (TTO), an improved methodology, which increases productivity of technology transfer, has been developed. The proposed methodology addresses many of the low level issues facing the commercialization and licensing process. Embedding TTO members with research institutes or colleges, assisting in funding procurement and marketing of research to external firms using innovative media are methods that can minimize technology transfer inefficiency. It is the conclusion of this thesis that improved technology transfer helps promote the overall mission of a university, which is diffusing knowledge for the public benefit.

Few studies on female entrepreneurship have focused on preventure women and their training needs. This study used four years of data collected from a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in a large mid-western city. The information needs sought by pre-venture females were compared with those of women who were already business owners. The groups were compared to determine training need differences before and after seeing an SBDC counselor. Male clients also were included.Data were obtained from two sources: A Small Business Administration counseling request form to be completed before counseling, and a SBDC counseling form which is a record of items discussed during the counseling session. Of the usable surveys, 553 were female and 276 were male.The three information needs most requested by pre-venture women were: Information on SBDC services (including start-up information), sources of capital, and the business plan. In counseling sessions, the business plan was the most discussed topic. Educational opportunities were the second most discussed.The next six information needs were rated closely together: Sources of finance; legal structure; industry information; business license; business name; and tax information.Little difference was found between the requested needs of pre-venture women and women in business. A greater percentage of the women in business discussed assistance in marketing, record keeping, accounting, advertising, and financial analysis. Further, women in business required more detailed information than did pre-venture women.No difference was found between African-American and white women on the amount of time spent with a counselor. Significantly more African-American women requested information on the business plan, government procurement, and international trade than did white women No difference was found in rank order comparisons of requested training needs between the two groups.Significantly more males than females requested information on bidding, sources of finance, advertising, government procurement, accounting/record keeping, and personnel. Similar gender differences were found in topics discussed during counseling. These differences may be due to the type of business started rather than gender. Rank order comparisons of training needs requested by males and females were identical.More research needs to be done with pre-venture entrepreneurs. Follow-up studies need to identify those who did or did not actually start businesses and the determinants of their decision. / Department of Educational Leadership

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 86-96)

Thesis (Ph. D.) --Murdoch University, 2004. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Arts. Includes bibliographical references (p.330-332).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Waikato, 2008. / Title from PDF cover (viewed December 19, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 399-434)

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-90). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Zugl.: Berlin, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2006