Barriers to Franchising in Saudi Arabia

Franchising has rapidly grown in Saudi Arabia since 2005, yet a small number of the large companies dominate the market with mostly foreign brands. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the barriers that Saudi small and medium enterprises and startups face when striving to become franchisors or franchisees. These barriers are investigated through the use of semi-structured interviews with people who belong to the franchise community either as administrators, franchise committee members, franchise developers, franchisees–franchisors, or prospective franchisees and franchisors. The results of this study show that there are several barriers standing against using franchising as a mode of expansion and investment by small and medium enterprises and startups, such as lack of legal, financial, institutional, marketing, development, and educational services support, and other key factors related to international franchisors' preferences and domestic franchising.     

Efficiency analysis of small franchise enterprises through a DEA metafrontier model

Spain has over 1000 franchises with more than 65,700 establishments in a wide range of economic sectors and a global turnover of over €19,000 million (2011). These figures confirm the importance of franchises in the Spanish economy. Consequently, an understanding of the economic and technical efficiency of franchises can help managers to optimise resources and take correct decisions. Traditional efficiency models require that the units being assessed operate with the same technology. As franchises reach many different sectors (travel agencies, catering companies, fashion firms, etc.) their relative efficiency is analysed using a non-concave metafrontier approach, which is based on data envelopment analysis. This methodology enables a comparison between different groups and takes into account any heterogeneity between the franchise firms of several sectors.     

再造广州国有外贸公司经营管理基因

广州国有外贸公司与工贸企业的对比，在经营管理方面存在着深层问题，研究了深层基础——企业基因方面的主要因素，提出了广州国有外贸公司加快发展，做强做大，进行企业基因重组的若干措施。     

The Determinants of Dual Distribution Revisited

This paper examines the use of what has been called “dual distribution” by firms. Dual distribution involves a firm using both company-owned stores and independently owned franchises to sell its product or service. Using panel data from 1048 companies for the years 2005 to 2009, I use a variety of estimators to determine the factors that influence the relative use of franchising by companies. A key focus of the paper is to control for the possible endogeneity of the franchise fee, royalty rate, and franchise ratio for the companies in the respective industries. Using a panel data estimator and lagged values of the franchise fee and royalty rate as instruments, I find that one reason the franchise fee and royalty rate do not appear to influence the relative use of franchising is due to industry- and firm-level fixed effects, which capture the variation in royalty rates and franchise fees at the company level.     

贸易便利化对企业出口国内附加值率的影响——来自中国制造业企业的证据

在构建贸易便利化影响企业附加值贸易的理论框架基础上，文章采用中国制造业企业微观数据，实证检验了贸易便利化对企业出口国内附加值率（DVAR）的影响及其作用机制。研究发现：无论是采用贸易便利化综合指数，还是贸易便利化分领域指标，推进贸易便利化会显著提高企业出口DVAR。同时，相对于中西部企业、中低技术行业企业和本土企业而言，贸易便利化对东部企业、高技术行业企业和外资企业出口DVAR的促进作用更大。进一步机制检验发现，贸易便利化的相对价格渠道降低了企业出口DVAR，但通过成本加成渠道提高了企业出口DVAR，贸易便利化总体上对企业出口DVAR的净效应为正。上述结论意味着，推进贸易便利化改革对于提高企业出口DVAR和出口竞争力具有重要的现实意义。     

Survival patterns among newcomers to franchising

This study examines survival patterns among franchisee and nonfranchise small firms and establishments that entered business during 1986 and 1987. Aspiring entrepreneurs purchasing franchises choose this path to small business entry, in part, because they expect to improve their chances of survival during the turbulent early years of operation. Evidence to date has been mixed: some studies conclude that franchising is a low-risk route to small business ownership, while others suggest that independent start-ups are more likely to remain in operation than franchises.This study utilizes two distinct methodological approaches to investigate franchisee survival patterns. The first approach demonstrates that franchise units have better survival prospects than independents, and the second approach demonstrates that young firms formed without the benefit of a franchisor parent are more likely to remain in operation than franchised start-ups. Reconciliation of these seemingly inconsistent findings is explored.Survival measurement is heavily influenced by the unit of analysis in franchising. Firm-specific data show different patterns than establishment-specific data when young franchise units are tracked through time. Analysis of establishments owned by corporations is undertaken for restaurants opened nationwide in 1986 and 1987. Using Census Bureau data describing corporate-owned restaurant establishments that reported payroll to the IRS in 1987, 52,088 young establishments were identified; 22.5% were franchises. Comparison of the franchisee and independent restaurant units indicated that independents were more likely to cease operations by 1988 than franchises.The fact that franchisee establishments had a better survival track record than independent restaurants does not, however, demonstrate that aspiring entrepreneurs improve their survival prospects by purchasing a franchise. In fact, 84% of the new franchise establishments under consideration were units of multi-establishment corporations, and few of these corporate parents were new businesses. Envision a corporation in operation for 15 years that owns 20 McDonalds restaurants; in 1987 they opened their twenty-first unit. The findings of this study indicate that this twenty-first unit has excellent survival prospects, more so than either an independent start-up or a franchisee opening a restaurant for the first time. New franchised restaurant units, overall, may be a safe investment, although simultaneously, the newcomer opening a franchise may face a high-risk situation.The analysis then shifts from establishments owned by franchisees to young firms (not establishments) started in 1986 and 1987 as proprietorships, partnerships, or S-corporations. Among these young firms, franchisees are found to have lower survival rates than independent start-ups, and these differences persist when various firm and owner traits are controlled for statistically. Retailing is found to be a particularly difficult field for young franchised firms: risk of firm closure is high and mean profits are negative. The most common route into retailing entailed purchasing an operating franchise unit from its previous owner, that is, an ongoing franchise. Over 53% of the young franchised retailing firms started in 1986 and 1987 were ongoing operations. By 1991, only 52.4% of these firms were still operating with the owner of record present in 1987.The findings of this study indicate, on balance, that purchase of a franchise is unlikely to reduce the risks facing a new business start-up. This does not imply that the multi-establishment franchisee adding another new franchise unit to its existing chain of operations faces a high-risk situation. Rather, the high risk facing the franchisee newcomer is partially rooted in the fact that so many of the newly-opened units in mature franchising niches are owned by multi-unit franchisees that have greater experience and resources than newcomers who are attempting to enter the industry.     

基于城市间比较的大连市服务外包竞争力分析

在全球经济危机的严峻形势下,货物贸易受到严重冲击,服务贸易备受关注。从软件企业数量、从业人员数量、软件出口值、基础设施等方面将大连与上海、西安、深圳、成都四个服务外包基地城市进行比较,得出大连的服务外包竞争力在全国处于中游位置。大连要注重借鉴其他城市的成功经验,大力发展高新技术产业,增加软件企业和从业人员数量,提高人才竞争力,大力开拓欧美市场,实现服务外包产业的多样化及多元化发展。     

中部地区开放型经济发展现状、定位及路径选择

随着国内外发展环境的变化,我国开放型经济面临的瓶颈约束日益明显,区域发展不协调、一体化水平不高等问题愈发突出。推动内陆欠发达地区开放型经济发展、形成合理的区域发展格局是我国开放布局的重要目标。地处内陆腹地的中部地区要改变开放型经济发展滞后的状况,实现本地区经济崛起,必须确立新的发展思路,寻求新的发展路径。     

Franchise partner selection decision making

This paper aims to investigate international franchise partner selection from the perspective of different decision making models and analyse the influence of organisational factors on the franchise selection decision making. Empirical data were collected from a leading international hotel group through multiple data collection methods. The research findings indicate that the participant organisation mainly exploits a processual approach to decision making. Power over the decision making shifts to different levels where the necessary information can best be accumulated and interpreted in different stages of the process. Different organisational parameters interact and exert influence upon each other while a franchise organisation decides to choose the most appropriate franchise partner.     

Productivity and trade openness in Ecuador's manufacturing industries

This study takes an empirical look at whether Ecuador's trade liberalization in the 1990s increased or decreased the productivity of Ecuadorian manufacturing establishments for the period 1997-2003. This research applies robust estimation procedures on micro-level data, controlling for a number of other economic events that may have affected productivity during the period under study. The study takes a particular look at how both exporters and import-competing sectors respond to trade openness. The results suggest evidence of a positive and significant effect of trade openness on the productivity of manufacturing industries in export-oriented industries in the years after the implementation of trade reforms, but decreasing productivity after 2000. Increased aggregate productivity might be a result of both the most productive establishments producing output, and slightly increased own-plant's productivity.     

Trade Promotion from Neighborhood

If you are considering to trade with companies in Japan or expanding your .business to Japan, we are ready to help from the very beginning.＂ You will find this greeting at the first sight on the Chinese website of Japan External Trade Organization （JETRO）. JETRO has committed itself in delivering highly efficient and quality services to meet the demand of internal and external customs including Japanese companies, hence winning a good reputation in the international trade arena. In recent years, with its priority in advancing business cooperation in South and East Asia, JETRO has made great achievement in promoting trade between China and Japan. Therefore, China＇s Foreign Trade interviewed Mr. Yoichi Maine, Deputy Director General of JETRO BEIJING.     

零售商业圈区位选择及其问题规避

随着经济全球化和我国改革开放的进一步发展,大量国际性商业特别是跨国企业进驻中国市场。为了扩展商圈范围,提升企业竞争力,跨国商业企业往往选择那些具有优势的区位,以达到策略的可实施性和目标的可实现性。基于商圈实务理论,就沃尔玛超市进驻浙江省金华市这一实例,研究了沃尔玛商圈的范围及其实务,在此基础上指出沃尔玛超市在商圈扩张过程中应该规避的区位选择问题。     

基于“区块链+政务”的外贸物流监管系统设计和实现

当前,政府不同部门间、政府和企业间、政府和公众间的信息共享还不够充分,体现在多部门审批流转的业务不够简便。究其原因,在于各部门建成信息化系统后,往往对共享数据存在一定程度的抵触情绪,从而容易形成“信息孤岛”。为此,在“互联网+政务”的基础上,应提倡推广“区块链+政务”,若某单位同意上“链”,那么从加入起就需要信息共享,从源头上避免后期共享的阻力。针对外贸物流监管领域信息流通不畅的问题,本文分析了现有监管体系的特点与不足,结合区块链技术优势,提出构建基于“区块链+政务”的外贸物流监管系统,并对该系统进行架构设计和具体实现,满足了政府部门对外贸物流全方位监管的要求。     

我国应对国际服务贸易壁垒的策略

近年我国企业深受国际服务贸易壁垒的困扰,这也是造成我国巨额服务贸易逆差的原因之一。我国中央政府、地方政府、行业协会和企业应协同配合,运用WTO谈判机制、贸易政策审议机制、争端解决机制和自由贸易区协议等途径积极争取我国服务贸易发展权,必要时采取对等措施反制;未来还要积极推动完善WTO现存体制和FTA协议,以遏制服务贸易壁垒的发生。     

跨国公司增大了双向贸易不平衡

近年我国对外贸易迅速增长,贸易顺差扩大,使我国与主要贸易伙伴之间的贸易摩擦加剧。由此引发了新贸易保护主义,也增大了我国经济安全的风险。我国以加工贸易为主要贸易方式、以外商投资企业为进出口主体的贸易结构是长期顺差的主要因素。我国要在扩大进口、增加内需、调整利用外资政策、优化进出口结构、限制加工贸易发展等多方面采取措施,积极稳妥地应对贸易不平衡问题。     

Mode of entry mode into a foreign market: the case of U.S. mutual funds in Canada

U.S. mutual fund companies offer funds in Canada through two channels: foreign direct investment or trade in advisement services. The total value of U.S.-controlled funds amounts to 18% of the Canadian equity fund market. This paper investigates how the fund-level and firm-level characteristics affect the channel used to enter the Canadian market. Empirical results indicate that the funds offered through FDI are not especially successful in the U.S. market but are associated with dominant companies, whereas the funds offered through trade in advisement services are highly successful in the U.S. market and are from companies with relatively few successful funds.     

Assessing the intangibles transferred in franchise businesses

In franchise systems, trade relationships between the franchisor and franchisee to exchange intangible resources for a franchise fee and subsequent payments are set up. This article provides data obtained by personal surveys on the restaurant industry franchise system in Mexico. The brand mark established by an initial investment, the time the franchise has operated, and its capacities to make profit are key factors in this exchange. The franchise size and its belonging to the Mexican Franchise Association are other intangible resources transferred in this relationship.     

从中美贸易摩擦看贸易不确定性对中国企业的冲击及应对

贸易不确定性对中国企业的冲击体现在对中国企业对外贸易量、产品价格和利润、创新和产品质量以及企业效率和产品附加值等方面的影响。中美贸易摩擦发生以来,虽然双方贸易额还没有出现明显下降,但加征高额关税抬高了中国企业进入美国市场的门槛,使中国企业获得先进技术的难度增加,并面临着市场转换问题,带来的人民币汇率下跌也影响着中国企业进出口。应通过深化供给侧结构性改革推动经济高质量发展、深化创新驱动战略提高企业产品附加值、加快推动“一带一路”倡议构建中国主导的生产链、继续扩大对外开放加速融入经济全球化等措施,有效应对贸易不确定性带来的影响。     

危机中物流企业服务项目新探

物流成为十大产业振兴规划的一员,旨在长期促进中国经济的发展。但是,由于第三方物流企业的物流服务的深度和广度有限,使企业危机重重。唯有满足客户、社会、行业的需求,开拓新的市场,才能在竞争中获得企业发展。因此,企业可以开展新的物流服务项目:第一,信息咨询服务,帮助企业将产品运往适销对路的地区;第二,商品展销服务,帮助工商企业缩短销售半径;第三,仓储超市服务,服务农村经济,提高农民生活质量;第四,物流集成服务,帮助企业做大做强。同时分析了当前实施这四个项目的条件。     

Efficiency of venture capital firms: evidence from Spain

In recent years the venture capital (VC) sector has played an increasingly important role in financial systems. In general, this type of specialised financial activity is conducted by two types of operators, VC firms and VC management companies, each with its specific characteristics. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the operating efficiency of these financial intermediaries in Spain, using data envelopment analysis, and to carry out an exploratory study of the variables that affect their level of efficiency, using a truncated regression model, and taking into consideration the nature of the operator (an approach not previously undertaken). Our analysis reveals, first, differences in the levels of efficiency achieved by VC firms and VC management companies and, second, that the most efficient organisations are those with more diversified ownership structures and which have a portfolio of companies active in the most innovative sectors.