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This chapter explains how HR executives can leverage social network understanding in order to facilitate post-merger integration. We describe two social network mechanisms (brokerage and contagion) and explain their effect on organizational functioning. We then present a framework incorporating interventions in three core areas of HR involvement in mergers and map those interventions on the timeline of the merger so as to provide a roadmap for developing and implementing interventions based on social network insight. We argue that an understanding of social networks and the proposed interventions would allow HR executives to better monitor and steer post-merger integration.

Cultural, social, and psychological perspectives on mergers assume conflict to be an important mediator of post-merger outcomes. Yet, despite a growing literature on the human side of mergers, conflict in mergers remains poorly understood.

Based on the disputing perspective and negotiated order theory, a contextual and dynamic approach is presented along with propositions to guide future empirical research in the form of a process model of post-merger order negotiation.

When negotiating the post-merger order, different issues emerge that are embedded in the broader context of the merger.

Adopting this theoretical framework allows us to understand the intergroup dynamics and antagonistic behavior observed in mergers.