Merging across borders : People, cultures and politics

In a ground-breaking longitudinal research project, the authors of 'Merging across Borders' provide a fascinating account of the cultural and socio-political dynamics involved in a complex, quadruple cross-border merger. While most depictions of post-merger dynamics are limited to anecdotes and retrospective reflections, the team of researchers - from business schools in the four countries represented in the merger - capture events as they unfold, illustrating how organizational reality is both constructed and reconstructed over time. Overall, the volume is an insightful blend of theory and practice, methodological rigor and organizational relevance, and problem analysis and practitioner guidance. It will be of invaluable assistance for anyone contemplating undertaking or researching a cross-border merger. Anthony F. Buono, Professor of Management and Sociology, Bentley College, author of The Human Side of Mergers and Acquisitions This book is a fascinating read for both academics and practitioners. Based on an in-depth ethnographic study of a four-country pan-Nordic merger, the authors provide illuminating insights on the socio-cultural dynamics that transpire during post-merger integration. Although the book is grounded in existing theory and research, it adds many new ideas and perspectives that will help executives more effectively manage the difficult process of integration and academics blaze new directions for research. As a researcher and consultant in post-merger integration, this book will definitely become a staple in my library. David M. Schweiger, Professor of International Business, Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, US . International mergers and acquisitions are more popular than ever, even though they often fail to deliver the benefits strived for, and moreover tend to create many problems and challenges for the people involved in integrating the companies. "Merging across Borders: People, Cultures and Politics" offers insight into social, cultural, communicative and political dynamics in complex organizational change processes following mergers and acquisitions; dynamics which have often been neglected in previous research. The book is written by a Nordic research team, and it is based on their extensive field study of a series of cross-border mergers and acquisitions leading to the creation of Nordea, the largest Nordic financial services group. "Merging Across Borders" is written both for reflective practitioners and for people studying international management and organizational issues in cross-cultural settings.