Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

William Stokes

Abstract

Fifty percent of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the United States fail, often resulting in a loss of stakeholder value. A questionnaire study design was used to explore managers' strategies for cultural integration during an M&A. Data were gathered from 94 managers and business leaders in M&A organizations in Texas. Managers' cultural integration strategies, communication, and leadership during M&As were investigated using transformational leadership as the conceptual framework. The study data were gathered from an online questionnaire, formatted into matrices using computer software, and then coded to identify themes. Themes that emerged from the study were that managers used effective strategies during the M&A activity to ameliorate stakeholder anxiety, maintained open communication, and stayed focused on business growth. The study participants indicated how communication and managers' strategies led to successful M&As. This study's findings may contribute to social change by providing business leaders and managers tools to help reduce and prevent future M&A failures. Successful mergers may increase employment opportunities and stabilize communities affected by M&A events.

Included in

Business Commons

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