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A Configurational Approach to Mergers and Acquisitions

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  • Sophie Fischer

    (Department of Management & Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia)

  • John Rodwell

    (Department of Management & Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia)

  • Mark Pickering

    (Department of Management & Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia)

Abstract

The processes involved with mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are many, varied and complex. M&A research and practice needs a toolset that can apprehend that complexity and suggest ways forward. This paper shows the complexity of the constituents of organizations at a strategic level by building on the natural-resource-based view (NRBV) and the resulting competences and capabilities. In M&As, these resources and capabilities are managed through a variety of forms of acquisition integration comprised of sets of integration mechanisms. M&As occur in a range of strategic contexts and consequently many forms of integration are possible. Accordingly, there is a need for a mode of inquiry examining acquisition integration that can encompass a wide variety of forms, is holistic across a range of possible integration mechanisms and can provide insights. A configurational mode of inquiry can accommodate the complexity of the mechanisms, capabilities and resources, including natural resources, which constitute acquisition integration. A configurational approach emphasizes a holistic synthesis of elements and highlights the importance of thinking of M&As in terms of patterns. A configurational approach offers tools for considering M&As such as analyzing the thematic coherence of integration and enables the inclusion of sustainability into the logic of organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Fischer & John Rodwell & Mark Pickering, 2021. "A Configurational Approach to Mergers and Acquisitions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1020-:d:483439
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zsuzsanna Vincze & Linda Hällerstrand & Daniel Örtqvist & Lena Rist, 2021. "Strategic Corporate Sustainability in a Post-Acquisition Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-29, May.
    3. Yulia Vertakova & Inga Vselenskaya & Vladimir Plotnikov, 2021. "Mergers and Acquisitions Risk Modeling," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, September.

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