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Cross-border mergers and acquisitions with heterogeneous firms: Technology vs. market motives

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  • Lee, Donghyun

Abstract

The most common form of foreign direct investment (FDI) is cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A). A common explanation for M&A activity identified in the industrial organization literature is that firms seek technological expertise. However, this has not been examined in the FDI literature. In this paper, I develop and estimate a model of cross-border M&A and focus on the technology seeking explanation. In particular, I develop a general equilibrium model of exporting, greenfield FDI, technology-seeking cross-border M&A, and market-seeking cross-border M&A with heterogeneous firms. The model predicts that firms from a larger country are more likely to acquire in a smaller country when M&A activity is driven by a technology-seeking motive, but the opposite is true when it is driven by a market-seeking motive. Using detailed data on worldwide M&A activity from 1985 to 2007, I find empirical evidence that cross-border M&A activity exhibits behavior consistent with this prediction.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Donghyun, 2017. "Cross-border mergers and acquisitions with heterogeneous firms: Technology vs. market motives," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 20-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:42:y:2017:i:c:p:20-37
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2017.06.003
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    2. George Marian AEVOAE, 2018. "How Can We Create Value From Enterprise Concentrations? A Meta-Analysis Of The Scientific Literature On M&As In The European Union," EURINT, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 5, pages 63-87.
    3. Hossain, Mohammed Sawkat, 2021. "Merger & Acquisitions (M&As) as an important strategic vehicle in business: Thematic areas, research avenues & possible suggestions," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Yue Gu & Shenglin Ben & Jiamin Lv, 2022. "Peer Effect in Merger and Acquisition Activities and Its Impact on Corporate Sustainable Development: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Shu, Jinhao, 2021. "The M&A Behavior of Family Firms," Junior Management Science (JUMS), Junior Management Science e. V., vol. 6(4), pages 673-699.
    6. Caplan, Arthur J. & Oladi, Reza, 2018. "Green competition, hybrid equilibrium, and establishment of a resale market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 259-269.
    7. Li, Xue & Anwar, Sajid & Peng, Fei, 2022. "Cross-border acquisitions and the performance of Chinese publicly listed companies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 575-588.

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    Keywords

    FDI; Cross-border mergers and acquisitions;

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