Title: Franchising – multifaceted form of entrepreneurship

Authors: Mika Tuunanen, Frank Hoy

Addresses: Faculty of Business and Information Technology, Department of Business and Management, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland. ' Centers for Entrepreneurial Development, Advancement, Research and Support, University of Texas at El Paso, College of Business Administration, El Paso, TX 79968, USA

Abstract: The present study takes an entrepreneurship viewpoint toward franchising. To create a theoretical framework, past franchising literature was reviewed and prior studies considering franchising as entrepreneurial activity were analysed. The literature analysis showed that prior franchising studies have rarely regarded franchising as a form of entrepreneurship. Likewise, theories explaining the birth, growth and survival of franchising are rather distant from entrepreneurship. However, recent franchising enquiries have taken an approach that comes closer to entrepreneurship. Franchising is a rapidly growing form of business in several countries around the world. This increasing importance in the global economy demands further scholarly research into the phenomenon.

Keywords: franchising; entrepreneurship; small business.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2007.011431

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2007 Vol.4 No.1, pp.52 - 67

Published online: 30 Nov 2006 *

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