The micro-foundations of strategic ambidexterity: Chinese cross-border M&As,Mid-View thinking and integration management

Chinese cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) display several unique properties in relation to the ways in which their international business operations are organised and managed. Their seemingly puzzling ‘light-touch’ integration approach can be significantly understood from a strategic ambidexterity perspective: on the one hand, the ‘light-touch’ enables the exploitation of the targets’ existing knowledge bases; on the other hand, elements of the ‘light-touch’ facilitate the exploration of the new knowledge arising from the collaboration between targets and acquirers. However, an important theoretical gap remains: why do Chinese companies deploy such a strategic ambidexterity approach in their post-acquisition integrations? This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing Mid-View thinking as a micro-foundation of strategic ambidexterity in integration management from a cultural and philosophical perspective. To illuminate our conceptualization and argument, we conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with CEOs/high-level managers of acquired German companies. Communication approach and organizational control—as two critical aspects in integration management—reveal how Mid-View thinking can serve as a micro-foundation of strategic ambidexterity. We conclude this paper by presenting its theoretical contributions, managerial implications, and future research directions.     

The Role of Business Ethics in Merger and Acquisition Success: An Empirical Study

The purpose of this paper is to explore job performance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from an ethical perceptive. A great number of studies have extensively discussed the link between M&A and performance; however, most focused on the financial functions and strategy selections. Although ethical issues emerge in the M&A process, it is a less studied area. This study adopted the structural equation modeling approach to empirically test our hypotheses. Based on 264 samples from financial companies, data analyses indicated that ethical conduct in M&A is significantly correlated with employee job performance. Ensuring employment security and caring practices can significantly explain organizational commitment. Organizational commitment also plays a significant mediating role between a company’s ethical conduct and employee job performance. Managerial implications are also provided.Carol Yeh-Yun Lin is a Professor of the Department of Business Administration at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. She received her Ph.D. in Human Resource Development from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992. She has published previously in the Journal of Small Business Management, Journal of Psychology, Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, Industrial Relations Journal, International Journal of Human Resource Management, and a number of other scholarly journals. Yu-Chen Wei is a doctoral candidate of the Department of Business Administration at National Chengchi University. Her research interests include intellectual capital, high-performance work system and business ethics.     

中国制造企业跨国并购后的整合模式研究

文章采用案例分析法系统研究了迄今为止中国制造企业跨国并购后的整合内容与模式,认为除了加强并购的系统性、进行详细的并购前调查外,中国企业要正确分析研究并购双方的资源特征,充分考虑组织文化差异、民族文化差异,正确选择合理、有效、及时、适度与适合自身企业的并购后资源整合模式,提高跨国并购的成功率.     

Effects of Mergers and Acquisitions on Shareholder Wealth: Event Study for Latin American Airlines

This study analyzes the effect of changes in corporate control on the way shareholders benefit from the announcements of selling and buying airlines, thus contributing to the literature on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in emerging markets. Using a methodology of event study, including GARCH and OLS models, we find evidence that some selling companies obtain abnormal returns that are statistically significant after the announcement of the M&A. However, when the merger is not strategic, the companies present statistically significant negative abnormal returns. The results are not conclusive when analyzing the effect on the value of the buying companies.     

Managers as the bridge: How cultural friction influences the integration of cross-border mergers and acquisitions

Going beyond cultural distance, the present study adopts a more contextualized view of cultural friction to account for the “actual cultural contacts” in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs), and meanwhile builds a case-based measure of cultural friction to quantitatively capture the country- and deal-level cultural differences between the acquirer and the target in each CBMA. Differing from the existing research that takes the influence of cultural differences on CBMA performance for granted, we highlight the importance of managers from the acquiring firm by theorizing that cultural friction between the acquirer and the target can shape acquiring managers' choice of managerial practices to complete the managerial tasks during integration, leading to different performance. In particular, we postulate a curvilinear relationship between the cultural friction and CBMA performance. By incorporating regulatory focus theory into our analytical framework, we further hypothesize how this curve is shaped by managers’ regulatory focus, a key motivational trait at the firm management level. Using a sample of 304 completed CBMAs conducted by Chinese listed firms, our empirical results verify the U-shaped relationship between cultural friction and the CBMA integration performance, and suggest that this relationship is flattened by acquiring managers’ prevention focus.     

Critical success factors determining performance of cross‐border acquisition: Evidence from the African telecom market

This study investigates the factors affecting Bharti Airtel's cross‐border postacquisition performance in an African market. This study describes the relationships among various factors such as technical capability, affiliated firm's absorptive capacity, and organizational learning capabilities, which determine the successful operations of the Zain acquisition deal in South Africa. This paper adopts a qualitative approach to identify factors that influence the postacquisition performance. Seven factors are identified based on the literature. Consequently, it has become a necessity to encapsulate these factors in suitable proportions. In this study, we have developed a total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) to analyze the postacquisition performance of Bharti Airtel in South Africa. Our research has highlighted six dynamic factors (organizational learning capability, knowledge management, technology capability, technology relatedness, acquirer's absorptive capacity, and national culture difference) that affect the firm's postacquisition performance. The interpretive structural model (ISM) and total interpretive structural model for postacquisition performance are built‐up. The developed TISM will support academics and practitioners to develop their understanding of acquisition performance of parent companies in the context of telecom business in the South African market.     

Understanding cross‐border mergers and acquisitions of African firms: The role of dynamic capabilities in enabling competitiveness amidst contextual constraints

This article builds on existing international business literature that examines the drivers of cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) within emerging and developing economy contexts, theoretically exploring how dynamic capabilities (DCs) are connected to these drivers, and how African emerging multinational enterprises (EMNEs) can pursue them to achieve competitiveness. The article's contribution is the development of a DC framework and testable propositions for African EMNEs' cross‐border M&As. The theoretical framework shows the division of DC dimensions—sensing, seizing, and transforming—and establishes explanations for their linkage with institutional and resource drivers for African EMNEs' cross‐border M&A competitiveness. In addition, the article outlines managerial implications to this effect. Overall, the article contributes to the emerging literature on the international expansion of African EMNEs through cross‐border M&As by underscoring the role of DCs.     

Internationalization of the organizational field: Swedish grocery retailers in the European integration process

Abstract

This article describes how import of ideas and practices influence an industry that is in an early stage of internationalization, as well as part of European integration. By using institutional theory, such a situation is depicted as an expansion of the organizational field, in which international isomorphism between organizations has commenced. Studying Swedish grocery retailing, a new set of ideas was found regarding what constitutes an efficient organization. This included centralization, vertical integration and brand management, and it was strongly influenced by foreign actors and markets. We conclude that isomorphism occurs in a decreasingly national field, although not entirely pan-European in character, and that international diffusion of ideas and practices reshape markets, partly independent of goods and capital flows.     

中国企业参与国际并购活动深度变革的思考

国际并购是近年来中国企业较为热衷于探索的一种国际化经营方式,不但可以实现企业资源优化配置,更有利于提升企业核心竞争力.本文就对中国企业参与国际并购活动进行了思考,同时提出了具体的深度发展思路,以此提高中国企业参与跨国资本并购活动水平.     

Determinants of cross-border M&As in Latin America

This article analyzes the determinants of cross-border M&As in the Latin American region during the period 1998-2004. Using a unique dataset of 868 Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) events, the study focuses attention on the effect of macroeconomic and investor protection conditions in the countries where the companies reside over the likelihood of these companies participating in a cross-border M&A transaction. The study considers the effect of company-specific variables in the likelihood of going cross-border. Univariate analysis and logistic regressions strongly support the idea that better economic and business-friendly conditions in the countries where the target operates, increase the likelihood of cross-border merger. Results show that not only is the business environment in the target country important but also in the bidder country. Lower levels of property rights protection in the acquirer country negatively affect the likelihood of a cross-border deal. Finally, the likelihood of a cross-border merger increases when the target faces higher cost of funding than the acquirer's.     

Picking cherries or lemons: A unified theory of cross‐border mergers and acquisitions

This article provides a theoretical framework that enhances understanding of empirical evidence suggesting that international mergers and acquisitions, a key source of foreign direct investment, seemingly target in‐country firms that are at the extremes of the productivity spectrum—either high‐productivity firms, so‐called cherries, or low‐productivity firms, the “lemons.” The framework demonstrates that foreign firms with intermediate inputs seek high‐productivity domestic firms, while foreign firms with managerial expertise seek low‐productivity domestic firms. We also show that because of the difference in available outside options, high‐productivity domestic firms can demand a significantly higher portion of profits in the partnership than low‐productivity domestic firms.     

The emotions of top managers and key persons in cross-border M&As: Evidence from a longitudinal case study

Building on prior research on emotions in M&A, this paper analyses the post-M&A emotions of top managers and key persons from the acquired company by examining what triggers emotions during the post-acquisition integration stage, and what the consequences of those emotions are. This study applies cognitive appraisal and affective event theories with empirical evidence based on a longitudinal, single case study of an Indian–Finnish acquisition. The main findings imply that M&As are very emotional for top managers and key persons. Our findings reveal that they experience a wide range of positive and negative emotions triggered by individual and company-level triggers. Interestingly various triggers can have different and opposite appraisal outcomes in the short and long-term. In addition, top managers and key persons are often restricted in the range of behavioural outcomes caused by emotions.     

Global and Local Concentration Patterns in Banking: An Analysis of the EU,the US and Mexico

ABSTRACT

In recent decades, there has been a clear trend towards the consolidation of banking. The first part of this paper reviews and contrasts different theoretical approaches that aim to explain that phenomenon. In the second and third sections, we present an analysis of the consolidation of banking in Europe and the United States to illustrate the nature of the driving forces of such a process. The fourth section presents a detailed discussion of the Mexican banking industry consolidation experience and discusses preliminary data on the performance evolution of incumbent institutions in the new environment created by the 1995 financial crisis.

RESUMEN. A lo largo de las últimas décadas se ha observado una tendencia bien definida hacia la consolidación de la banca. La primera parte de este estudio revisa y traza un contraste entre los enfoques teóricos que pretenden explicar este fenómeno. En la segunda y tercera, presentamos un análisis de la consolidación de la banca en Europa y los Estados Unidos, para ilustrar la naturaleza de las fuerzas que impulsan dicho proceso. La cuarta sección presenta una discusión detallada sobre la experiencia de la banca mexicana en la consolidación del sector, y examinamos los datos preliminares sobre la evolución del desempeño de las instituciones existentes en el nuevo entorno creado por la crisis financiera de 1995.

RESUMO. Nas últimas décadas, observa-se uma clara tendência para a consolidação dos bancos. A primeira parte deste estudo revê e compara as diversas abordagens teóricas que tentam explicar este fenômeno. Na segunda e na terceira partes, apresentamos uma análise da consolidação dos bancos na Europa e nos Estados Unidos, para ilustrar a natureza das forças que impulsionam tal processo. A quarta parte mostra uma discussão detalhada sobre a experiência de consolidação da indústria bancária mexicana e discute os dados preliminares sobre a evolução do desempenho das instituições beneficiadas no novo cenário criado pela crise financeira de 1995.     

我国企业并购过程中的风险分析

近几年,企业并购行为在我国呈增长趋势,存在着大量的风险,在详细分析企业并购的各项基本步骤和可能存在的风险之基础上,结合我国企业并购行为的特点,提出了降低和规避风险的建议。     

Exploring the factors influencing the negotiation process in cross-border M&A

This research study provides an empirical examination of the impact of national cultural distance, organizational cultural differences, communication, and planned employee retention on the effectiveness of negotiation process in the cross-border mergers & acquisitions (M&As). We developed and tested a conceptual framework of negotiation process in order to provide a framework for analysis of the key components of the negotiation process in the cross border M&A. The findings indicate that communication positively influence antecedent and concurrent phase of negotiation process. In addition, national cultural distance and organizational cultural differences negatively influence the effectiveness of concurrent phase. We also found that national cultural distance moderates the relationship between communication and effectiveness of concurrent phase of the negotiation process, as such that the positive effect of communication is lower when national cultural distance is higher. Furthermore, we found that planned employee retention positively affect the effectiveness of concurrent phase. Finally, the effectiveness of concurrent phase positively influence the effectiveness of consequent phase i.e. M&A agreement. The contribution of this study lies in providing new insights on negotiation-associated factors for incumbent executives, in order to enable them to better plan and implement cross-border mergers and acquisition deals.     

银行关联对企业并购投资的影响研究

从银企关系的视角分析银行关联是否影响企业并购概率及结果,重点考察银行关联对我国并购及并购绩效影响的作用机制。使用2006-2012年我国上市公司数据,实证检验结果发现：银行关联显著增加了企业并购概率,且董事会银行背景关联和银行股权关联都显著增加了企业并购的概率;银行关联公司的并购绩效显著低于非银行关联公司,董事会银行背景关联对企业并购的影响有限,股权关联显著降低了企业并购的绩效。这说明,银行关联促进企业并购的发生,但银行关联特别是股权关联降低了并购绩效。     

The Evolving Economic Role of Accounting Standards： Evidence from Bilateral Cross-Border M＆A Flows

Cross-border M＆As are important to the participating countries. I posit that mandatory International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） adoption lowers the systemic information noise embedded in countries＇ accounting standards. This reduces the associated information processing costs and enhances the economic role accounting standards play on cross-border M＆A flows. After mandatory IFRS adoption, a 1% increase in accounting standards disparity suppresses bilateral M＆A flows by around 2%; a decrease in accounting standards disparity helps promote bilateral M＆A flows when paired countries＇ governance infrastructure gaps are relatively wider. I do not find that these associations were significant prior to mandatory IFRS adoption. Overall, this paper documents an evolving economic role accounting standards play on bilateral cross-border M＆A flows and sheds light on the economic benefits of adopting IFRS for policy makers.     

Retail Integration Strategies in the EU: Scandinavian Grocery Retailing

Until recently, restructuring activity in the EU retail industry has primarily been domestically oriented and focused upon growth opportunities in the retailers' home market. Alongside the on-going harmonization and integration of European markets, grocery retailers have become increasingly interested in cross-border integration activity. Although a salient feature of Scandinavian grocery retailing, this (r)evolution of the industry has attracted only minor attention in academic literature. This paper examines the motives and strategies underlying the intensified integration activity of Scandinavian grocery retailers in general and their integration across national as well as industry boundaries, in particular. The analysis of recent integration events displays a fairly balanced distribution between proactive and reactive motives, albeit the former motive tends to dominate in the case of grocery retailers' integration activity across industry borderlines. Above all, the proactive motive has been apparent in many of the recent partnerships established laterally between Scandinavian grocery retailers and other companies.     

当前我国利用外商直接投资的负效应问题研究

当前由于我国利用外资的环境发生变化,使得我国利用外商直接投资的负效应凸显,主要表现为冲击了民族工业发展、减少了国家财政收入、造成国有资产的流失、隐藏国际收支风险、降低了我国工业结构整体效益以及导致我国环境污染加剧。因此,必须调整引资优惠政策,健全与实施跨国并购的法律保障,发展和完善外商引资产业政策,提高反避税能力和资本管制的效率,以消除这些负效应。