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Intergroup dynamics in post-merger integration process

Anne-Sophie Thelisson (Department of Strategy, ESDES, Lyon, France and Université Catholique de Lyon, Lyon, France)
Olivier Meier (Department of Strategy, Universite Paris-Est, Marne-la-Vallee, France)

European Business Review

ISSN: 0955-534X

Article publication date: 30 March 2022

Issue publication date: 6 April 2022

448

Abstract

Purpose

Intergroup dynamics between the acquirer and the acquired are determinants of post-merger integration success. Mergers and acquisitions scholars call for the adoption of new reading prisms to gain deeper insights on post-merger integration dynamics as the failure rate of mergers remains high. In mobilizing works from social psychology to examine intergroup dynamics, this study aims to respond to this call by shedding light on the post-merger integration process. Typologies of integration processes do not take into account intergroup dynamics that operate within the new entity, which are influencing the decision-making process. To better understand how firms achieve a successful integration (symbiosis), the authors propose a processual analysis of intergroup dynamics in post-merger integration.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is a qualitative, longitudinal enquiry, which allows us to examine intergroup dynamics in two real-time merger case studies. The integration processes selected for this research include symbiotic integrations. Both integration processes were analyzed over two years, starting with the merger agreement.

Findings

This study sheds additional light on the triggers for achieving symbiosis integration by demonstrating the specific role and contribution of each of the parties (majority and minority) during the process. This study shows that post-merger is a process that follows different steps to reach symbiosis, involving majority/minority dynamics. The symbiosis implies minority innovation by adopting new business and organizational practices, mainly inspired by the standards and values of the minority. The study highlights innovation by the minority as a key element in achieving a symbiotic integration. This element can be understood by managers involved in managing the integration as a turning point in the integration process.

Research limitations/implications

The authors investigated symbiotic integration in specific industries; questions can arise about the extent to which findings are transferable to other mergers and acquisitions contexts.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of the dynamics between the majority and minority in adopting a processual and longitudinal analysis. On that point, this study gains insights on the “black box” that represents post-merger integration process.

Keywords

Citation

Thelisson, A.-S. and Meier, O. (2022), "Intergroup dynamics in post-merger integration process", European Business Review, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 431-450. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-05-2021-0104

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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