Citation
Joining Forces: Making One Plus One Equal Three in Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances
TL;DR
Cultural clash is predictable in acquisitions
Evidence-based framework for managing post-merger integration. Documents cultural clash dynamics when acquiring company imposes processes on acquired teams, and provides strategies for preserving acquired capabilities while achieving integration benefits.
Provides practical guidance for implementing calibrated gene flow during acquisitions.
Key Findings from Marks & Mirvis (2010)
- Cultural clash is predictable in acquisitions
- Acquirer process imposition triggers resistance and attrition
- Strategies exist to preserve acquired capabilities
- Integration benefits achievable without full homogenization