The thesis deals with business activities led by individuals or partners in companies and corporations, and franchise business. The theoretical part of the work is to describe and compare the different legal forms with respect to legal and economic aspects. Another aim is to describe the development of franchise business in the Czech Republic and to characterize the various terms associated with franchising. The aim of the practical part is to show the example of the Czech company, which is a gastronomic concept of restaurants Lokál, how a franchise system is created in the Czech Republic.

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the functioning of the franchise model in the banking sector on the example UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, a.s. and form a complete picture of the function of this concept. Thesis comprehensively summarizes the principles of the franchise system in banking both the general terms and the specific case of business places of the UniCredit Bank Expres. The topic is current due to the growing popularity of franchising and its potential application in the other areas. In literature the issue of franchising is not fully described neither in a theoretical way nor practical. The subject will be examined through qualitative research of processes, relationships and circumstances in the banking environment in the context of a franchise system. Research methods consist mainly of participant observation and interview at various levels of management and also of analysis the bank documents. The theoretical part is focused on characteristics and development of franchising and solves its legislation. Furthermore, the theory deals with the banking sector and define its relations to franchising. The subject of the practical part is the analysis of the franchising concept function. Thesis will map the process of creating a banking franchise and analyzes the operation of the franchise branches and its position within the bank, including specifics resulting from the nature of business in this field. In conclusion the thesis solves the risks arising from franchising in banking and evaluates the functionality of this model.

This thesis deals with franchising and franchise contract. This work describes the business concept of franchising, its expansion in the world and especially in the Czech Republic. It also discusses the franchise contract legislation, including the negotiation process between the franchisor and franchisee before entering into the contract. Finally, it deals with a detailed description of the provisions of the contract. All this is illustrated in the imaginery franchise chain Lickerish tomcat.

Au cours de notre travail doctoral nous avons étudié les stratégies d’internationalisation des franchiseurs afin de comprendre les déterminants du choix de la modalité de franchise internationale. Ces développements internationaux font émerger de nouvelles problématiques auxquelles les travaux académiques existants ne donnent pas d’analyses satisfaisantes. Pour les approfondir nous revenons sur ces questions à travers une approche dynamique des réseaux de franchise internationaux. Nous focalisons notre travail sur les problématiques de développement de l’avantage concurrentiel par les localisations étrangères des franchiseurs en proposant un cadre d’analyse basé sur l’approche des capacités des entreprises. Une méthodologie qualitative nous a permis de dimensionner le métier de franchiseur et d’interroger la mise en œuvre de métier au niveau international. Suite à une analyse thématique du discours de franchiseurs, nous avons identifié trois capacités centrales sources d’avantage concurrentiel. Par la suite, nous avons analysé des développements internationaux et mis en évidence le transfert de ces capacités à la modalité de franchise internationale. Notre cadre d’analyse nous a alors permis de souligner l’importance de l’analyse des capacités sources de l’avantage concurrentiel dans le processus du choix de la modalité d’entrée pour comprendre le développement des réseaux dans le nouveau marché. D’un point de vue dynamique, nous avons identifiés deux niveaux de dynamisme distincts et nous montrons qu’il importe de comprendre les déterminants du développement du deuxième niveau pour affiner notre compréhension de la réussite internationale des entreprises. / During our thesis we studied franchisors’ internationalization strategies in order to determine the optimum choice of organizational mode. These international developments cause new problems which existing literature does not provide satisfactory answers. In order to propose a new analysis, we choose to use a dynamic approach to international franchise systems. We focus our work on issues of competitive advantage development by foreign franchisors locations and we provide a framework based on the organizational capabilities perspective. A qualitative methodology enables us to define the competitive advantage of franchisor and questioned the implementation of this advantage into international operations. We seize the competitive advantage of franchisor with athematic analysis of franchisors practice. We identified three core capabilities. Subsequently, we analyzed international developments and highlighted the transfer of the core capabilities to the sub-franchisor. Then, our analytical framework allowed us to underline the importance of taking account of the competitive advantage in the process of choosing the organizational mode in order to understand the competitive advantage exploitation in the new market. From a dynamic perspective, we identified two levels of dynamism and we show the importance of understanding the determinants of the development of the second level to refine the knowledge of the achievement of international operation.

Denna uppsats undersöker förändringar som sker inom filmserien Pirates of the Caribbean med fokus på hur de tre inriktningarna: Klass, genus och frihet utvecklar sig genom filmerna. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur de tre ideologiska samhällsstrukturerna utvecklas genom filmserien för att förhoppningsvis kunna dra en slutsats gällande kopplingen mellan strukturernas utveckling och filmseriens fallande betyg på Rotten Tomatoes. I analysen har filmerna noggrant analyserats utifrån de tre ideologiska inriktningarna för att se hur de utvecklat sig i seriens uppföljare. Resultatet gav tydliga tendenser av att var film i serien tappat kontakt med någon av de strukturer som tidigare presenterats. Vissa strukturer utvecklas genom filmens handling medan andra försvinner utan förklaring. Utan att kunna dra en säker slutsats misstänker uppsatsförfattaren att diskontinuitet som skapats vid osammanhängande utveckling av samhällsstrukturerna i filmen kan vara en bidragande orsak till att filmerna fått ett lägre omdöme för var film som släppts i serien.

Deal of this master´s thesis is processing of a business plan for a new McDonald’s franchising branch. The first part of the thesis focuses on theory of this issues. In the analytical part is solved a question if estabilishing of a new branch does make a sense using several analysis. And in the final praktical part are dissected ditails of a new McDonald’s branch founding.

The presented dissertation is concerned with legal problematics connected to founding of real estate trading company, its hierarchy, and possibilities of managing and directing of this type of company. Futhrer, the dissertation investigates possibilities of such enterprise to be incorporated in one of the occupational unions (organizations). Least but not last, the paper researches the services that should be provided by a professional company of such type. The dissertation is divided into theoretical and practical part. Theoretical part builds on the Commercial Code, where the rules concerning trading company are founded. However, the dissertation also uses various textbooks on management which describe various types of organization structures, that have been created by advancement in organization of human activity. In the practical part, I shortly mention the importance of the hierarchic order of a given society in reaction to a change in development on the real estate market. I also investigate the possibilities of real estate companies to create occupational unions (organizations). Further, I describe advantages and disadvantages, as well as the specific aspects of such behavior. The backbone of the dissertation is the fifth chapter. It is dedicated to the proposal of an organization stucture of a Real Estate company, as well as to the choice of legal form such a company should occupy, and finally, it is dedicated to the services, which should be provided by such company.

[pt] A adoção do modelo de franquias como estratégia de expansão de negócios e obtenção de resultados, para ampliar os ganhos em escala, e assegurar a cobertura e penetração de mercado, constitui uma importante fonte de vantagens competitivas. Da mesma forma, a escolha de modelos logísticos apropriados de acordo com as estratégias e características de cada negócio tem sido determinante para a geração de resultados consistentes e duradouros nos mais diversos segmentos de mercado. Mesmo assim, pode-se observar que alguns segmentos de negócio não despertaram como a evolução dos conceitos e práticas logísticas podem ser grandes aliados das empresas, agregando valores aos produtos ou serviços, não apenas para garantir o aumento da rentabilidade e sobrevivência, mas, principalmente torná-las competitivas e viabilizar o crescimento sustentável. Neste estudo será feito um levantamento e análise dos fluxos logísticos de uma rede de lojas franqueadas de moda feminina. Inicialmente será apresentada a visão geral do sistema de franquia, através de conceitos e práticas. No estudo de caso, será apresentada a dinâmica, através da discussão dos conceitos, das regras de negócio, dos processos, e especificidades, objetivando oferecer uma visão geral do ambiente de negócios de moda feminina de calçados e bolsas. Logo após, são analisados os conceitos e práticas logísticas utilizadas, objetivando apresentar um diagnóstico dos problemas. A partir desta análise e do estudo dos principais conceitos e práticas logísticas, serão desenvolvidas considerações sobre oportunidades de melhorias através da proposição de um modelo logístico, baseado na terceirização das operações com um operador logístico, visando à melhoria do nível de serviço para as lojas e a redução dos custos operacionais envolvidos no transporte de produtos. / [en] The adoption of the franchise model as a strategy to expand business and achieve results, to extend the gains in scale, and ensure coverage and market penetration, constitutes an important source of competitive advantage. Likewise, the choice of proper logistic models according to the strategies and characteristics of each business has been instrumental in generating consistent and lasting results in various market segments. Still, one can observe that some business segments did not realize how the evolution of logistics concepts and practices can be great allies of the companies, adding value to products or services, not only to ensure increased profitability and survival, but mainly make them competitive and enable sustainable growth. This study is a survey and analysis of logistics flows in a network of franchised stores of womenswear. Initially it will be presented an overview of the franchise system, using concepts and practices. In the case study will be presented the dynamic through discussion of concepts, business rules, processes, and specific, aiming at giving an overview of the business environment for women s fashion footwear and handbags. Soon after, we analyze the concepts and logistics practices used, aiming to present a diagnosis of problems. From this analysis and study of key concepts and practical logistical considerations will be developed on opportunities for improvement through the proposition of a logistic model based on outsourcing operations to a logistics operator, aimed at improving the level of service to the stores and reducing operating costs involved in transporting products.

In the pre-relationship exploration stage of a business-to-business (B2B) relationship, firms find it difficult to evaluate other parties because of the prevalence of information asymmetry. Firms must make informed decisions, otherwise, they end up in a contentious long-term relationship, which adversely affects the performance of both sides. While majority research on B2B relationships is focused in the post-relationship phase, very little has been done to identify strategies that firms can adopt to signal their firm characteristics in the pre-relationship phase. This is important, as such signals can help firms make informed purchase decisions by cutting through the information asymmetry. Also, sending the right signals can help firms extract a price premium from their prospective partners, contributing positively to their bottom line. Therefore, this dissertation consists of three essays with the objective to (i) identify positioning strategies that sellers can use to signal firm characteristics and test which elements of firm characteristics enable them to extract a price premium (ii) identify branding strategies that sellers can use to signal firm characteristics and test which elements of firm characteristics enable them to extract a price premium (iii) investigate signals that affect firm performance.

The financial crisis starting in mid-2007 is still affecting us, and with increased regulation banks and institutions are supposed to get more solvent and the industry to become more stable. The Basel Committee is working towards more unified regulation across countries, but the question is how the increased regulation is affecting banks financials. Do profitable banks with a solid capital base have a higher ratio of capital buffer? Looking at banks in 16 OECD countries during the period 1993-2009, with country-level panel-data displayed in two simultaneous equation estimations illustrating how profit and capital buffer has changed during these years, and the relation between them. To get an understanding of how the crisis affected these variables the regressions are also done for a pre-crisis period of 1993-2006. Internal funding variables and other economic control variables are explanatory variables and results show the internal funding variables have a large effect on profit and for capital buffer profit have the largest impact. Results imply that profitable banks with a solid capital base do have a higher ratio of capital buffer. The results coincide with the franchise value theory which is applied in the paper.