Book by Crummer School Professor Explores Franchising Opportunities Around the World

Two recently released books, co-edited by a Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business Professor Ilan Alon, Ph.D., shed new light on the world’s untapped economic resources. The books show companies how to conduct franchising in the countries that contain 80 percent of the world’s population and 60 percent of the world’s natural resources – countries in which 75 percent of the world’s economic growth is expected to take place in the next two decades. To pinpoint both the opportunities and potential pitfalls of franchising as a means of entry into these emerging markets, Alon has published International Franchising in Emerging Markets: Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America and International Franchising in Emerging Markets: China, India, and Other Asian Countries.

From Brazil to Singapore, the two International Franchising in Emerging Markets books provide varied treatments of significant issues in a wide range of countries. Each book consists of informative articles by international authorities and provides an overview of each area’s legal, political, economic and social environment and offers case studies of companies already doing business in these markets. Experts also analyze the potential various regions hold for franchisers in particular industries.

Alon recently joined Crummer as associate professor of International Business. He has been published in a wide range of international journals and is author and co-editor of seven books, including The Internationalization of U.S. Franchising Systems (1999). Alon’s research focuses on international business, franchising and political risk assessment. He was the winner of the Chinese Marketing Award from the Society for Marketing Advances in 2002. He has been a consultant to multinational companies and government agencies. He has taught at Shanghai University and Bongde University in China. Most recently, he was assistant professor at the State University of New York.

Alon collaborated on the International Frachising in Emerging Markets books with Dianne H. B. Welsh, Ph.D., executive director of the Muldoon Center for Entrepreneurship at John Carroll University. She is founder and editor of Franchising Research: An International Journal.

“Professor Alon brings a wealth of expertise in the understanding of international franchising,” said Dr. Craig McAllaster, dean of the Crummer School. “His knowledge will complement the efforts of the Crummer School to provide expanded education on global entrepreneurship.”