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The Franchisee as a Consumer: Determining the Optimal Duration of Pre-Contractual Disclosure

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  • Courtenay Atwell

Abstract

This research centres on the role and utility of the statutory waiting period within the business format franchising legislation and its effect as a consumer protection mechanism from the perspective of the franchisee as a consumer. An empirical study on the diverging approaches to inclusion of the period is undertaken across 62 jurisdictions, covering those that mandate franchise-specific legislation as well as those that regulate the sector through general consumer and competition laws. A series of legal, economic and behavioural considerations that effect the integration and optimal duration of the period are identified and used to account for the variances in approaches to domestic legislation. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

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  • Courtenay Atwell, 2015. "The Franchisee as a Consumer: Determining the Optimal Duration of Pre-Contractual Disclosure," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 457-489, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jcopol:v:38:y:2015:i:4:p:457-489
    DOI: 10.1007/s10603-015-9297-1
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    2. Peter Balsarini & Claire Lambert & Maria M. Ryan & Martin MacCarthy, 2021. "Subjective Knowledge, Perceived Risk, and Information Search when Purchasing a Franchise: A Comparative Exploration from Australia," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, July.

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