5. Discussion and conclusion
5.1. Discussion This study examines brand resonance and its antecedents in the context of franchisee-franchisor relationships. Brand resonance symbolizes highly active and intense brand-centric relationships and is characterized in terms of cognitive, affective, and conative consequences directed toward the brand (Keller, 2012). The results offer insights into various antecedents of brand resonance. In particular, franchisors' trade equity and franchisees' trust in franchisors exert direct, positive influence on brand resonance whereas franchisors' knowledge specificity exerts an indirect effect on brand resonance. The proposed relationship between franchisees' asset specificity and brand resonance was not supported. These findings suggest that the formation of brand resonance among franchisees is complex in that franchisees form attachments with the brands they manage through both direct and indirect assessments of franchisors. Through ongoing interactions with franchisors, franchisees assess knowledge specific investments made by franchisors and develop trust. In addition, through their interactions with the franchisor and the franchised brand community, franchisees form assessments of the franchisor's trade equity. Together, the direct and indirect factors signal the attractiveness of the franchisor and influence the formation of brand resonance among franchisees.