Acquirer's Search for a Partner: The Role of Inter-Organizational Relationships

Abstract

This chapter examines the use of signaling mechanism to identify promising acquisition targets. It draws on the importance of inter-organizational relationships of target firms and their relevance as signals of firm quality. It takes into account two types of inter-organizational relationships, alliances and corporate venture capital (CVC) investments. It further identifies the boundary conditions that are most likely to influence the acquisition decision of the acquirer. These are based on the characteristics of target firms and their partners. By considering the role of CVC investments and alliances as signals of firm quality, the study draws a connection between how the different types of equity and non-equity relationships of firms influence the acquirer’s choice of potential takeover target.

The theoretical frame based on the signaling perspective provides fresh and valuable insights to evaluate the quality of target firms. The research provides directions for future opportunities to examine the value of signals and whether such signals create synergies in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals. The author identifies new avenues of research that would help to move forward the signaling perspective in the literature on M&A.

Citation

Javaid, H. (2023), "Acquirer's Search for a Partner: The Role of Inter-Organizational Relationships", Cooper, C.L. and Finkelstein, S. (Ed.) Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions (Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions, Vol. 22), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 77-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-361X20230000022006