Franchisor support and brand value empowerment of micro-franchisees: a Brazilian market perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between franchisee support and brand value in micro-franchise chains. This study aims to understand the importance of value delivery in support to the micro-franchisee aiming at increasing brand value. Design/methodology/approach The sample was composed of 148 micro-franchisees belonging to 70 chains located in Brazil. The questionnaire aimed to verify the franchisee’s degree of concordance with the support and brand value provided by the franchisor through a Likert scale. The questionnaire structure comprised of ten metrics associated with franchisee support, four metrics associated with the brand value perception and four potentially intervenient metrics. A regression analysis was carried out to confirm the results for the factor analysis, assuming that the three factors associated with support as independent variables and the brand factor as a dependent variable. Findings The three factors related to franchisee support were found to be significant predictors of brand value. Based on the values of the coefficients, it is possible to infer the positive nature of the association. An increase in franchisee support leads to an increase in the franchisee perception about brand value. The positive effect of training and franchisor’s support in prospection and installation improvement on the brand value evaluation by franchisees was supported by the statistical analyses conducted. Research limitations/implications This research complements the studies on brand citizenship behavior and franchisee brand commitment; the greater the support provided to the micro-franchisee, the greater its commitment to the brand values of the chain. This contribution is critical because we deal with micro-enterprises in a business environment with an intense resource scarcity. These aspects place restrictions on the delivery of support and brand value in these franchise chains. Practical implications Structured support plans and greater approximation with franchisees seem to be alternatives for this perception of value to be increased in micro-franchise chains. The attractiveness of a micro-franchise chain can be enhanced if the franchisor is able to show to its potential micro-franchisees that it offers adequate support for its business; and also for the capture of new micro-franchisees. Social implications The social implications aimed at entrepreneurs with low financial expenditure. The sustainability of these businesses is highly relevant in the case of emerging markets given the high rates of unemployment and informality. Hence, micro-franchises become one of the means for micro-entrepreneurs to enter the job market. Originality/value When dealing with micro-franchises, there is an intensification of this scarcity of resources due to the smaller amount captured by the franchisor, as well as the lower technical level found in the franchisees. The relationship between brand value and the perceived level of support and the consequent franchise satisfaction with the chain in franchises, symbolized by brand citizenship behavior, is still little studied, and there are promising new studies, especially on the different types of franchises.

Boosting brand citizenship behavior through internal green marketing: The role of brand trust and willingness to be environmentally friendly.

Green marketing is a critical issue in today’s society. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of internal green marketing (IGM) on brand citizenship behavior (BCB). Drawing on the theoretical foundations of social identity theory, cognitive consistency theory, and social exchange theory, this study presents and validates a unique model that examines the mediating effect of brand trust and the moderating effect of willingness to be environmentally friendly on the relationship between IGM and BCB. Using a sample of 176 employees employed in a telecommunication company in Jordan, the findings of this study revealed that internal green marketing is a strong predictor of BCB. Further, the positive effect of internal green marketing on brand citizenship behavior is mediated by brand trust. The findings of this study also confirmed the contingent role of willingness to be environmentally friendly on the relationship between IGM and BCB. Theoretical and managerial implications have been provided accordingly.

Employee-generated content: the role of perceived brand citizenship behavior and expertise on consumer behaviors

Purpose Situated between the literature on internal branding and user-generated content, this study aims to demonstrate the effect of employee-generated content (EGC) on consumers’ purchase intentions and positive word of mouth (WOM). Design/methodology/approach The conceptual model was empirically tested using structural equation modeling based on a sample of 442 participants. Findings The findings support a sequential mediation model in which employee-created social media content impacts perceptions of brand citizenship behavior (BCB) and perceptions of expertise, which in turn increases purchase intention and WOM. Practical implications Based on the findings, this research suggests that employee ambassador programs can work to attract employees with an interest in brand-related social media content creation. Facilitating EGC through support, empowerment and reinforcement rather than traditional control mechanisms is recommended. Originality/value This research introduces the concept of EGC and employee content creators while extending the literature on perceived BCB by empirically demonstrating its relationship with perceived expertise and positive consumer behavior outcomes.

How Does Service Climate Influence Hotel Employees’ Brand Citizenship Behavior? A Social Exchange and Social Identity Perspective

By integrating social exchange and social identity theories, this article examines the mechanism through which employee perceived service climate enhances employee brand citizenship behavior (BCB). Specifically, we propose that this relationship is mediated by perceived brand image and moderated by employees’ power distance orientation. Using data from hotel employees in Vietnam, the findings show that service climate positively affects employee BCB. Furthermore, the mediating effect of perceived brand image and the negative moderating effect of employees’ power distance orientation on the linkage between service climate and employee BCB are found to be significant. This article enriches the existing knowledge by incorporating both social exchange and social identity perspectives in explaining an underexplored linkage between service climate and employee BCB. We suggest that hotel providers should put an emphasis on fostering a supportive service climate and should take into account the role of employee’s power distance orientation in promoting employee BCB.