Title: Developing the partner relationship management system for franchised electronic stores

Authors: Ming-Hsien Yang, Wen-Shiu Lin, Shang-Chia Liu, Hung-Yi Chao, Shi-Hwang Chen

Addresses: College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, Xinzhuang City, Taipei County, Taiwan. ' Department of Information Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, Xinzhuang City, Taipei County, Taiwan. ' Department of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, Xinzhuang City, Taipei County, Taiwan. ' Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, Xinzhuang City, Taipei County, Taiwan. ' Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Tucheng City, Taipei County, Taiwan

Abstract: The internet age and e-business have not only modified the way enterprises see its customers but have also brought some significant changes to the way enterprises interact with each other. The purpose of this study is to develop a Partner Relationship Management (PRM) system to fit the partner management process and to provide necessary tools focusing on the characteristics of franchising e-stores, which can improve partner relationship in the Franchising Electronic Store Model (FESM). The functions of the PRM system were derived after reviewing the related literature. The PRM system comprises six modules: partner management, partner training, sales management, collaborative procurement, marketing information sharing and business operating know-how. Through empirical testing, the study also provides evidence that all modules of the PRM system can increase the satisfaction of the partner relationship of the franchisees.

Keywords: collaborative commerce; electronic commerce; electronic stores; franchises; franchising electronic store models; partner relationship management; e-commerce; partner management; partner training; sales management; collaborative procurement; marketing information; information sharing; business know-how; partnerships.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2008.019414

International Journal of Technology Management, 2008 Vol.43 No.1/2/3, pp.176 - 193

Published online: 11 Jul 2008 *

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