Citation
Not All M&As Are Alike - and That Matters
TL;DR
Integration approach should match acquisition rationale
Analyzes acquisition integration strategies and documents how full integration often destroys the distinctive capabilities that motivated the acquisition. Recommends calibrated integration based on strategic rationale - preservation for capability acquisition, absorption for geographic expansion.
Directly supports the Airbus/A220 case analysis and the framework's recommendation to manage acquisition integration speed based on the purpose of the acquisition.
Key Findings from Bower (2001)
- Full integration often destroys acquired capabilities
- Integration approach should match acquisition rationale
- Capability acquisitions need preservation, not absorption
- Geographic expansion can use faster integration