Merging corporate cultures : Post acquisition analysis
Paajanen, Susanna (2015)
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015102315676
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015102315676
Tiivistelmä
The commissioner of this study is Company X. The topic was decided together with the commissioner. The objective of this study was to learn how to integrate corporate cultures when the acquirer is a global company and the target company a local family run company.
Acquisition is a transfer of the control of operation and management from one firm (target) to another (acquirer), the former becomes a unit of the latter. Terms mergers and acquisitions are often used together. The number of acquisitions has continued its growht globally in recent decades. The reasons behind acquisitions are strategic; need to grow to new markets, scarcity of resources, eliminating competitors and aim for cost-efficiency. Acquisitions are common way to grow in challenging and competitive corporate environment.
The methodological approach to this research was a case study. The research was carried out by semi-structured interviews of management team and an electronic questionnaire sent to target company’s employees. This thesis was written between May 2014 and October 2015.
The key findings of the research show the difference between management team’s and acquired company’s employees views. Employee reactions to acquisition need to be understood by the acquirer in order to be able to address them. The questionnaire results were not surprising, management team had realistic expectations.
This study can be helpful to companies planning integration process, especially if they are from similar backgrounds, global company acquiring a local company. Follow up questionnaire could be done in two year’s time to see if results are changed because it can take years for employees to integrate.
Acquisition is a transfer of the control of operation and management from one firm (target) to another (acquirer), the former becomes a unit of the latter. Terms mergers and acquisitions are often used together. The number of acquisitions has continued its growht globally in recent decades. The reasons behind acquisitions are strategic; need to grow to new markets, scarcity of resources, eliminating competitors and aim for cost-efficiency. Acquisitions are common way to grow in challenging and competitive corporate environment.
The methodological approach to this research was a case study. The research was carried out by semi-structured interviews of management team and an electronic questionnaire sent to target company’s employees. This thesis was written between May 2014 and October 2015.
The key findings of the research show the difference between management team’s and acquired company’s employees views. Employee reactions to acquisition need to be understood by the acquirer in order to be able to address them. The questionnaire results were not surprising, management team had realistic expectations.
This study can be helpful to companies planning integration process, especially if they are from similar backgrounds, global company acquiring a local company. Follow up questionnaire could be done in two year’s time to see if results are changed because it can take years for employees to integrate.