The Effects of TSI(Transaction Specific Investment) on Dependence, Trust, Commitment and Re-Contract Intention

Purpose - This paper aims to test the effects of Korean food service franchisors' and franchisees' TSI (Transaction Specific Investment) on dependence and trust toward the franchisor and re-contract intention. The study examines the effects of both franchisors' and franchisees' TSI on dependence and trust, as compared with Ganesan (1994). Research design, data, and methodology - Data were collected from 495 Korean food service franchisees and analyzed with structural equation modeling using path analysis through SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0. Results - 1) The franchisor's TSI has positive effects on the franchisee's dependence and trust toward the franchisor. 2) The franchisee's TSI has a positive effect on the franchisee's dependence toward the franchisor. 3) The franchisee's dependence and trust have positive effects on commitment. 4) The franchisee's dependence, trust, and commitment have a positive effect on re-contract intention. Conclusions - The franchisor's and franchisee's TSI affect the franchisee's dependence and trust toward the franchisor. The franchisee's dependence and trust influence commitment and re-contract intention. This has managerial implications for franchisors striving to raise franchisees' re-contract intention.