Management and organizational structures of multi-level marketing business: The example of the X business

This study aims to evaluate the organizations created by distributors in the multi-level marketing method, which is an improved version of direct sales, and seen as a modern business model, in terms of management functions. In the study, the basic concepts and principles of multi-level marketing, its features, the reasons for its emergence, its development in Turkey and in the world, its application stages, comparison with traditional marketing, advantages and disadvantages, as well as management functions are discussed. In the research part, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the top-career distributors of an internationally operating multi-level marketing business. The data obtained as a result of the interviews was analyzed by content analysis. Findings tables were created and inferences were made by evaluating the findings. As a result of the research, it has been concluded that distributors apply management functions while managing their organizations. In addition, the findings were associated with the characteristics of motivation theories, Alderfer's ERG Theory, transformational leadership style, and organizational communication. Keywords: Multi-Level Marketing, Multilevel Marketing, Network Marketing, Management, Management Functions, Management and Organization.