Network marketing is a dynamic business model that is growing in popularity on the domestic front as well as the global arena. The extant literature on network marketing covers public image, negative perceptions and controversy, general knowledge, organizational socialization, organizational identity, entrepreneurship, customer relations/relationship marketing, immigrant entrepreneurship, discourse, leadership styles, organizational citizenship, and ethics/legality. Network marketing has foundational establishment in 1945. Network marketing is the most popular form of direct selling. Network marketing is face-to-face retail selling away from a physical retail site with a tiered compensation plan. Network marketing organizations compensate personnel outside the company, network marketers, to market and sell the products or services direct to consumers. Network marketers are independent small business owners that recruit, train, and manage their sales force. Network marketing is open to everyone and has low capital investment, high margins, no designated territories, and minimal interference from the company. Operating and monitoring cost are minimal. Network marketing appears to be a viable business architecture for subsidizing income and to some a formidable full time business. The major competition in network marketing is the labor market where the network marketer is in competition with other network marketers for prospective network marketers. The literature on network marketing covers a broad spectrum of business dynamics and present the tension in the literature on perception, legality, ethicality, and potential for success.
Direct Selling, Literature Review, Multilevel marketing, Network Marketing
