We investigate theoretically the liquid crystalline phase behaviour of globular dendrimers consisting of a soft inner scaffold and peripheral mesogenic units attached to the scaffold by means of flexible chains. We use a generalised Onsager molecular theory to analyse model systems exhibiting conformational rod-sphere and rod-disc interconversions. Phase transitions normally not encountered in low molar mass mesogens are reported. For a system with spherical lowest energy conformation a thermotropic re-entrance to the isotropic phase is observed.