The Adoption Of Social Franchising As A Replication Model For Food Bank Vietnam

Abstract

This thesis investigates the adoption of social franchising as a replication model for Food Bank Vietnam, exploring its potential as a strategic approach to scaling social enterprises and addressing food security issues. Social franchising, defined as a replicative strategy adopted by non-profit entities to enhance their societal impact, involves the establishment of symbiotic partnerships that extend an organization’s proven service model and ethos. Food Bank Vietnam operationalizes this concept through its “expand network of Food Bank” and “Network member” nomenclature, which aligns with the academic understanding of franchising. The central focus of this study is to analyze Food Bank Vietnam’s adoption of social franchising, examining the motivations, factors, and processes involved in this strategic decision. By utilizing agency theory, social capital theory, and resource scarcity theory, the research provides a theoretical framework to understand the dynamics of social franchising in the Vietnamese context. Additionally, the study investigates the experiences and expectations of franchisees (referred to as “Network members”) operating under this model. The research adopts a qualitative approach, employing case study analysis and questionnaires to gather detailed insights into the operational methodologies and social mission of Food Bank Vietnam. Ethical considerations in data collection and analysis are rigorously addressed to ensure the integrity and validity of the research process. The scope of this study is limited to Food Bank Vietnam, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. However, the in-depth examination of a single case provides valuable insights into the scalability of social enterprises and the role of social franchising as a replication model. The findings highlight the potential of social franchising to address complex social problems, such as food insecurity, and contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable development. This research aims to bridge the knowledge gap in the field of social franchising, offering practical implications for social enterprises, policymakers, and stakeholders. By understanding the factors driving the adoption of social franchising, the study provides a roadmap for implementing this model effectively, ensuring that social enterprises can scale their impact and address social challenges more efficiently. The insights gained from this research are expected to inform future studies and contribute to the development of successful social enterprise models both in Vietnam and globally. Clarification of Terms in an Academic Context Social Franchising: In the lexicon of this academic inquiry, 'social franchising' is employed as a theoretical construct to describe a replicative strategy adopted by non profit entities to augment their societal impact. It is characterized by the establishment of symbiotic partnerships that extend an organization's proven service model and ethos. Notwithstanding, the entity under study, Food Bank Vietnam, operationalizes this concept through its nomenclature, specifically 'expand network of Food Bank' and 'Network member.' While these terms diverge from the conventional academic jargon, they fundamentally encapsulate the essence of social franchising as delineated in extant scholarly literature. Food Bank network (Franchisor): The term 'Food Bank network' is appropriated to denote the central organizational body—Food Bank Vietnam—that promulgates a unified model across its operational spectrum. This term is academically aligned with the concept of a 'franchisor' and will be treated as such within the bounds of this research, signifying the central node from which the replicative strategy originates and is administered. Network Member (Franchisee): Correspondingly, 'Network member' will substitute for the term 'franchisee' throughout this scholarly work. It refers to the affiliated entities that embrace and enact the service model propagated by the central 'expand network,' emulating its operational methodologies and social mission. This rewording is particularly pertinent given the absence of a formal legislative framework that encapsulates the concept of social franchising in Vietnam. It is imperative to underscore that these terminological substitutions are exclusively operational within this academic discourse and do not purport to redefine or extrapolate the legal definitions or operational modalities of Food Bank Vietnam. They serve merely to enable a robust scholarly dialogue within the parameters of academic research on social franchising. Disclaimer This thesis examines the concept of 'social franchising' for academic purposes, using it to analyze Food Bank Vietnam’s strategies alongside similar international practices. It's important to note that the use of 'social franchising' and related terms does not imply that Food Bank Vietnam is recognized as a social franchise legally, either in Vietnam or internationally. The analysis and conclusions are based solely on academic investigation and should not be considered legal interpretations of Food Bank Vietnam’s operations. This research aims to contribute to the understanding of organizational replication models for social impact within the academic community.