Organised by the International Society of Franchising
and Frederick University’s School of Business and Law
The 38th Annual International Society of Franchising (ISoF) Conference, hosted in Cyprus by Frederick University’s School of Business and Law, concluded on the 24th of May following four days of academic exchange and professional networking. Held in the scenic village of Tochni, the conference brought together franchise academics and researchers from Universities across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, to explore current trends, challenges, and innovations in the field of franchising.
A welcome reception was held on May 21st, followed by two full days of conference sessions, covering a wide range of timely topics including operations, competition, entrepreneurship, technology, analytics, legal frameworks, and social dynamics in franchising. Discussions were led by prominent academics and industry experts. The conference concluded on May 24th with an ISoF board meeting and the awards ceremony, celebrating academic excellence and ongoing collaboration within the global franchising research community. Participants enjoyed Cypriot hospitality through various cultural and entertaining activities throughout the four-day event.
Dr Josef Windsperger from the University of Vienna (Austria) and Dr Marijana Srećković from the Technical University of Vienna (Austria) won the Best Paper Award for their paper titled: “Blockchain and Decision Rights in Franchise Networks: A Property Rights Approach”. The Best Student Paper Award was shared between Antonio Porto from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (USA) for his paper titled “Superior Customer Service as a Competitive Strategy in Chains: Entrepreneurial Orientation and Market Dynamics”, co-authored with Dr Steve Michael, and Denis Zenios from TUM (Germany) for his paper titled: “Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Franchising Research: Topic Modeling of ISoF Papers”, co-authored with Dr Nina Gorovaia, member of the faculty at Frederick University.
Dr Gorovaia, member of the ISoF Board and Associate Professor of Strategy and Management at Frederick University’s Department of Business Administration, noted: “Frederick University was proud to host this year’s event, which not only highlighted emerging research in franchising but also showcased Cyprus as a welcoming venue for international academic dialogue. The ISoF Conference continues to serve as a prominent forum for leading research and practical insights. Attendees from around the world enjoyed engaging sessions, discussions, and networking in the beautiful village of Tochni, creating an inspiring setting for the future of franchising research.”
The annual ISoF Conference marks a significant milestone in fostering academic excellence and industry innovation within the franchising sector. This year’s event showcased the expanding scope of franchising – from AI and blockchain to social franchising and legal reform – demonstrating the field’s growing relevance and diversity.
For further information:
Meropi Moiseos, Communications Officer, Communications and Outreach Service
T. +357 22394394 (ext.41139) | E. [email protected]
About Frederick University
Frederick University operates in the Republic of Cyprus since September 2007. Although the establishment of the University is relatively recent, the organisation has a long history of nearly 60 years in higher education. Its mission is to serve the society through education, research, and social contribution to the broader community.
The University offers a broad range of academic programs of study in the areas of Engineering, Technology, Business, Maritime Business, Arts, Architecture, Media, Humanities, Health, and Education, and operates from two campuses, in Nicosia and in Limassol.
With its dedication to academic excellence, provision of high-quality programs of study and active research, the University enjoys respect and recognition both nationally and internationally. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, it ranked among the top 201-300 universities for the second consecutive year, the only university in Cyprus to ever achieve this.
