Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Franchising plays a critical role in international economic and business spheres by offering multiple advantages. It allows businesses to enter new markets efficiently by using local franchisees' knowledge and networks; supports the exchange of products, services, and commercial practices across borders; fosters global connections and innovation; contributes to job creation, infrastructure development, and economic activity in host countries; supports local suppliers and various industries; helps brands achieve global recognition and a consistent presence which enhances consumer trust and loyalty on various markets. Franchising enables entities to spread risks on various territories and reduce dependence on a single market; it also promotes the transfer of management practices and customer service standards which improves business landscapes in developing regions. Franchising is one of the powerful instruments for international trade and investment. Considering the increasing impact of franchising, the present paper aims to overview its crucial aspects from various contexts briefly. The research will examine whether franchising offers a flexible model for successful business partnerships, assess some key findings from national and ECJ’s case law, identify challenges that confront to flourishment of franchising in Georgia, and propose certain measures to withstand this problem. Given issues will be covered through applying analytical, comparative, and statistical methods of research. The introductory, first chapter overviews the advantages of franchising, and certain historical developments of the said business model in different states; the second chapter covers the concept and legal definition of franchising, its characteristics, basic types and phases; the third chapter briefly refers to franchise-related national laws and regulations; fourth chapter concentrates on case-law (national and ECJ rulings); fifth, concluding chapter summarizes main findings of the research, assesses environment of franchising in Georgia, and proposes authors recommendations for further development of franchising system in the country.

Abstract BackgroundThe frequent population movement across the five East African Countries poses risk of disease spread in the region. A clear understanding of population movement patterns is critical for informing cross-border disease control interventions.We assessed population mobility patterns across the borders of the East African states of Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.MethodsIn November 2022, we conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and participatory mapping. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and a topic guide used during interviews. Key informants included border districts (Uganda and Rwanda) and county health officials (Kenya). FGD participants were identified from border communities and travellers and these included truck drivers, commercial motorcyclists, and businesspersons. During KIIs and FGDs, we conducted participatory mapping using Population Connectivity Across Borders toolkits. Data were analysed using grounded theory approach using Atlas ti 7 software.ResultsDifferent age groups travelled across borders for various reasons. Younger age groups travelled across the border for education, trade, social reasons, employment opportunities, agriculture and mining. While older age groups mainly travelled for healthcare and social reasons. Other common reasons for crossing the borders included religious and cultural matters. Respondents reported seasonal variations in the volume of travellers. Respondents reported using both official (4 Kenya-Uganda, 5 Rwanda-Uganda borders) and unofficial Points of Entry (PoEs) (14 Kenya-Uganda, 20 Uganda-Rwanda) for exit and entry movements on borders. Unofficial PoEs were preferred because they had fewer restrictions like the absence of health screening, and immigration and customs checks. Key destination points (points of interest) included: markets, health facilities, places of worship, education institutions, recreational facilities and business towns. Twenty-eight health facilities (10- Lwakhakha, Uganda, 10- Lwakhakha, Kenya, and 8- Cyanika, Uganda) along the borders were the most commonly visited by the travellers and border communities.ConclusionComplex population movement and connectivity patterns were identified along the borders. These were used to guide cross-border disease surveillance and other border health strategies in the three countries. Findings were used to revise district response and preparedness plans by strengthening community-based surveillance in border communities.

1National Center of Urology, Tbilisi/GEORGIA, 2Georgian Association of Psychology, Tbilisi/GEORGIA, 3Kidney Transplantation, National Center of Urology, Tbilisi/GEORGIA

Research with self-report measures of schizotypic or psychosis-prone features in nonclinical populations suggests that, similarly to schizophrenic populations, males score higher on more "negative" schizotypic features and females score higher on more "positive" schizotypic features. We administered the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and the Chapman Scales of Psychosis Proneness--impulsivity/nonconformity, magical ideation, perceptual aberration, physical anhedonia, and social anhedonia--to a large, nonclinical, young adult sample (N = 1179: 453 males and 726 females). Results indicated increased negative symptomatology in males compared with females, but not increased positive symptomatology in females compared with males. Findings on Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire factors suggested that interpersonal deficits differed by gender as well. Finally, a measure of impulsive behavior and nonconformity not typically associated with negative symptomatology indicated gender differences not predicted by a negative/positive dichotomy.

National Municipal ReviewVolume 28, Issue 2 p. 101-104 Article The financial aspects of city-county consolidation L. R. Chubb, L. R. Chubb Governmental Research Bureau Atlanta Chamber of CommerceSearch for more papers by this author L. R. Chubb, L. R. Chubb Governmental Research Bureau Atlanta Chamber of CommerceSearch for more papers by this author First published: February 1939 https://doi.org/10.1002/ncr.4110280205AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume28, Issue2February 1939Pages 101-104 RelatedInformation