Mergers, acquisitions, and alliances continue to be almost an everyday feature of the contemporary business scene, yet at least half prove to be unsuccessful. The authors show the contribution that psychology can make to our understanding of the merger phenomena - how it affects organizational performance, and how it affects the managers and employees involved. Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances is intended as a guide to successful organizational marriage. Great emphasis is placed on the issue of cultural compatibility as it concerns partner selection, integration practices and venture outcomes. The book also focuses on cross-national mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. With the increasing economic activity within the European Union and between the unions of other countries, there is a need to know more about the corporate and national cultures in these strategic alliances. The authors have drawn upon an extensive body of research based on recent cases in a wide cross section of industries across Europe. The book is unique in showing the actual effect mergers and acquisitions have on people, and consequently on the performance of the 'new' organization. It will be particularly relevant for decision makers - those who are involved in planning and implementing a large organizational change, and those responsible for ensuring successful integration afterwards. It would also be extremely useful for postgraduate management students, personnel executives and management consultants.

This book aims to help readers: set out a strategy for their change / integration process; significantly reduce the change / integration cycle time; better manage the emotional dimension of such events thus reducing the number of internal conflicts; reassure key people more rapidly and thus help keep the best talent inside the company.

Organizational flirts and marriages alliances, mergers and acquisitions are dramatic examples of how soft cultures can produce hard facts of success or failure. Decisions born from human vanity can lead to destruction of human capital. The chapters selected by Ulijn, Duysters and Meijer illustrate the many facets of organizational family life for the scholar and, hopefully, for the decision-maker who considers another move. Geert Hofstede, author of Culture s Consequences This unique book focuses on the link between different types of culture (national, corporate, professional) and the success of strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions. Over the past decades we have seen a significant increase in the number of strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions. Despite this proliferation many recent studies have reported high failure rates. This failure is often attributed to cultural differences between partners, which has led to a growing body of literature on the subject. To date, most of these studies have focused on national and corporate culture, whereas this book also places particular emphasis on the importance of culture at the professional level. The authors clearly show that all three levels of culture may have a profound impact upon the ultimate success or failure of alliances, mergers and acquisitions. Researchers in the field of international business, strategic management, and strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions will find this book to be of invaluable interest. Managers in multinational corporations and international business students should also not be without this important resource.

Create and capture value, no matter what path you've chosen. How to Create Joint Value Alliances, partnerships, acquisitions, mergers, and joint ventures are no longer the exception in most businesses—they are part of the core strategy. As managers look to external partners for resources and capabilities, they need a practical roadmap to ensure that these relationships will create value for their firm. They must answer questions like these: Which business combinations do we need? How should we govern them? Will their results justify our investments? Benjamin Gomes-Casseres explains how companies create value by “remixing” resources with other companies. Based on decades of consulting and academic research, Remix Strategy shows how three laws shape the success of any business combination: • First Law: The combination must have the potential to create more value than the parties could create on their own. Which elements from each business need to be combined to create joint value? • Second Law: The combination must be designed and managed to realize the joint value. Which partners best fit our strategic goals? How should we manage the integration? • Third Law: The value earned by the parties must motivate them to contribute to the collaboration. How will we share the joint value created? Will the returns shift over time? Supported by examples from a wide range of industries and companies, and filled with practical tools for applying the three laws, this book helps managers design and lead a coherent strategy for creating joint value with outside partners.

If 75 percent of all mergers fail, what makes the other 25 percent succeed? Mergers, acquisitions, and alliances are more vital today than ever before in driving business success. This indispensible guide offers proven strategies and sound solutions to the multitude of integration issues that inevitably arise, and shows how to create a combined business that meets its strategic and financial objectives, competes better, and offers personal and organizational enhancements. Dubbed "merger mavens" by Fortune magazine, the authors report lessons learned from their experience in over 100 combinations. Executives, managers, and employees alike in all industries and sectors will find useful examples, strategies, and tools here. Praise for Joining Forces "This book will help both M&A veterans and those new to the game. The authorsprovide great insights into the human, cultural, organizational, and strategic factors that matter in M&A success." Richard Kovacevich, chairman and CEO emeritus, Wells Fargo & Co. "Don't commit to the merger or acquisition without them! I have personally witnessed how hard it is on everyone employees, shareholders, communities, and especially executives to work through an improperly managed merger. I have known Marks and Mirvis for almost twenty-five years and the only mistake our organization made was that we did not consult them soon enough. Their new book reflects unequalled experience and intellect. Don't merge, acquire, or be acquired without it!" Michael R. Losey, CEO (emeritus), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) "Joining Forces is a terrific resource for managers who want to understand thehuman dynamics of mergers and acquisitions, and a must-read for those who have to lead their companies through one. It is based on the latest research and providespractical insights and advice from authors who know M&A inside out." Edward E. Lawler III, Distinguished Professor of Business, Marshall School ofBusiness, University of Southern California

Leverage today's most complete and practical framework for driving superior business value from mergers and acquisitions -- both domestic and international. A Comprehensive Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions Management focuses on critical success factors across every stage of the process, including planning, screening, negotiation, due diligence, transition management structures, post-merger integration, leadership and trust, cultural integration, HR practices, control, monitoring, and more. Authored by Yaakov Weber, an international expert in M&A management, strategic alliances, and strategic management, this book's uniquely interdisciplinary approach fully addresses both operational and cultural requirements, supporting participants in every role. Replete with recent examples and cases, it pays special attention to crucial strategic and behavioral linkages between pre- and post-merger stages, explaining why they are so important and how they can be managed to create maximum value. Throughout, Weber provides practical tools, tables, and figures that can help M&A implementers ensure best performance and achieve success where others have failed. As just one example, he provides proven instruments for analyzing cultural differences and the potential for synergy, and translating that potential into reality. For multiple audiences, including board members and top executives who must evaluate the strategic and financial issues associated with M&A; investment bankers, VCs, and other investors who must screen and select acquisitions; managers who must execute business combinations; consultants in strategy, HR, culture, and other areas; and faculty and students in executive education, MBA, and BA-level business programs.

Mergers and acquisitions are happening in record numbers, with billions of dollars changing hands and major corporate deals making headlines every day. But the harsh reality is that most deals fail. Why? Because the companies didn't plan, didn't prepare, and didn't perform up to expectations. They didn't think beyond the deal. This revolutionary guide--written by two top consultants who've worked with some of the biggest companies in the world--goes beyond other books on the subject by giving you a complete, systematic “framework” of hands-on strategies for every step of the process. No matter which side of the acquisition you're on, what stage of the game you're at, or whatever level of management you're in, you will learn how to create new value for yourself, recognize new opportunities for your team--and inspire unprecedented levels of performance for your organization. If you've got “the urge to merge” and the need to succeed, Beyond the Deal offers a wealth of ready-to-use tools and techniques, including: 6 essential keys to a smooth integration 4 steps to making a “quantum leap” in performance 3 common mistakes that lessen value 3 surefire ways to get your team on board Dozens of case examples, quizzes, checklists, and more In addition to step-by-step planning strategies, the book shows you how to assess a company's full potential and--more specifically--how to motivate full-time workers as they face new challenges, take on new responsibilities, and work with new people. You'll also find crucial advice on corporate branding, customer service, company leadership, and knowledge management. And you'll be surprised to discover just how do-able--and profitable--mergers and acquisitions can be. The book also includes self-questionnaires to test your “acquisition readiness,” case-by-case examples of famous successes and notorious failures, and other tools.