Abstract
This study integrates thoughts related with electronic communication systems, labeled as Intra, Extra and Internet, with the core concepts of network theory and proposes a conceptual model for business-to-business firms. The context used for this model development is franchise systems. During this process, advantages and disadvantages associated with viewing franchise systems as network organizations as well as incorporating electronic communication systems as a catalyst of movement towards network organization are discussed. We hope that this study forms a basis for future investigation of franchise systems from a network perspective (rather than just a dyadic perspective), with the Intra, Extra, and Internet as a catalyst.