| dc.description.abstract | Mergers and acquisitions are increasing due to the competitive and financial pressure of
globalization. Previous research shows that there is a high failure rate in M&A. There is
much written on ways and means that should be adopted by companies to ensure success.
This study outlines the importance of balanced management of pre- and post-merger
success factors and the impact of culture. Impact of culture has been considered
separately since it affects achievement of other success factors and hence overall success
of an M&A.
The study based on a questionnaire, suggests that the achievement level of M&A
objectives of acquiring companies in Kenya should be comparable to findings of similar
studies; namely the objectives that drove the deal were met only half of the time. The
results indicate that impact of culture together with pre-merger phase success factors -
clear strategy, clear search criteria, strong integration team, thorough screening and due
diligence, cultural due diligence, defined end state and preparing people psychologically
-and post-merger phase success factors -coherent integration strategy, strong integration
team, efficient and consistent communication, speedy implementation and aligned
measurements -are becoming increasingly relevant. Even though they differ in their
importance for individual companies in the population, they are all considered essential to
increasing success rate of corporate combinations | en |
