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Ownership decisions in plural contractual systems: Twelve networks from the quick service restaurant industry

Robert Dahlstrom (School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA)
Arne Nygaard (Norwegian School of Management, School of Marketing, Oslo, Norway)

European Journal of Marketing

ISSN: 0309-0566

Publication date: 1 February 1999

Abstract

A substantial body of research employs agency theory and transaction costs analysis to explain ownership decisions in distribution channels. Agency theory identifies factors that prompt firms to favor behavior‐based contracting over outcome‐based agreements. Transaction cost economics is a complementary framework which maintains that the organizational form in a location should be the one that economizes on production and transaction costs. Prior research illustrates that independent variables (e.g. proximity to highways, dedicated assets) outlined in these theories provide a partial explanation for ownership decisions. Nevertheless, scant research has analyzed whether factors outlined in agency theory and transaction cost analysis are employed by executives when making ownership decisions. The purpose of this study is to investigate managerial rationales underlying plural contractual networks.

Keywords

  • Distribution channels
  • Franchising
  • Networks
  • Organizational theory
  • Service industries
  • Transaction costs

Citation

Dahlstrom, R. and Nygaard, A. (1999), "Ownership decisions in plural contractual systems: Twelve networks from the quick service restaurant industry", European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 33 No. 1/2, pp. 59-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090569910249175

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Publisher

:

MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited

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