Moving On and Getting Along

Abstract: Cross-border Mergers & Acquisitions are currently representing the dominant way corporations expand internationally. In a field where up to half of the foreign investments are considered financially unsuccessful, scholars have started to explore the human aspects of post-acquisition integration. However, despite inconclusive or contradictory results, a considerable amount of the academic field uses cultural distance as an unquestioned driver for their models. In this deductive study, we use qualitative methods to impartially evaluate the existing theoretical field and explore linkages between factors that have been argued to influence post-acquisition unification. Through extensive literature review, nine factors with potential effects on cross-national post-acquisition integration were distinguished. Their relevance was explored through a case study based on a global logistics provider. 24 unstructured interviews with personnel from different regions and on different organisational levels were conducted, resulting in 1169 relevant quotes that were labelled, grouped and analysed. The conclusion provides a framework that broadens as well as questions parts of the current academic field. Furthermore, the findings suggest that awareness of the individual nature of acquisitions is the most important tool an acquirer can possess when aiming to successfully integrate a target into its organisation.