Title: Power asymmetries, flexibility and the propensity to coopete: an empirical investigation of SMEs' relationships with franchisors

Authors: Wojciech Czakon

Addresses: Department of Business Management, Karol Adamiecki University of Economics, ul. Bogucicka 14, 40–227 Katowice, Poland

Abstract: The impact of interorganisational features on a relationship|s development process is studied through the case of Small and Medium Enterprises| (SMEs) relationships with franchisors in the banking sector. The study provides a real-life, in-depth study of SME-franchisor relationships, including their development, disruption and propensity to coopete. A power asymmetry is revealed to be a major reason for the formation of the relationship, whereas flexibility seems to be positively correlated with development. There is evidence that a development model should encompass a mutually agreed evolution but also unilateral actions, including coopetition and opportunism. The author proposes a development model.

Keywords: coopetition; interorganisational features; dynamics; franchising; flexibility; asymmetries; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; banking sector.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2009.024104

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2009 Vol.8 No.1, pp.44 - 60

Published online: 25 Mar 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article