Are Mergers and Acquisitions a Successful Way of Growth - A Case Study of Astra Zeneca

Abstract: Title: Are Mergers and Acquisitions a successful way of growth- A Case Study of AstraZeneca Subject: Bachelors thesis within the field of Business Management, School of Economics and Engineering, Halmstad University, Sweden Authors: Frida Ekenberg & Simon Utas Supervisor: Christer Norr Objective: The objective of this thesis is to analyse the effects of a fusion from a business perspective. Furthermore, a case study approach is used in order to identify factors that have been reached by AstraZeneca through the joint venture. Working Structure: The thesis is based on a qualitative case study of AstraZeneca. The empirical data is based on interviews with people who were working at the company at the time of the merger and people within the field of the stock market. Furthermore, studies of documents, articles, press releases and annual reports have been used as a framework for the empirical data. Conclusion: The results from our study are not unequivocal. However, today AstraZeneca is considered to be a successful joint venture since the company is one of the greatest market leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. Even though, the analysis state that the deal created both financial and international advantages, its effects on the share price movement are not equivalent. Furthermore, the share price movement is only a short term effect and since synergy effects were accomplished concurren