Psst…The merger mavens still have it wrong!

Abstract

Executive Summary Mergers are back! The 1990s are witnessing a wave of mergers that rivals the size of those of the 1980s and 1960s. Proponents whisper that these mergers are fundamentally different from the earlier waves, that managers have learned their lessons, and that the underlying logic has fundamentally changed. But are they really that different? Do the mergers of the 1990s represent a new and improved approach to corporate strategy, or are executives and deal-makers simply rationalizing old habits? We contend it is useful to review the misinformed beliefs that drove mergers in past decades, and as these “merger myths” continue to influence managers today. It is our intent to dispel some of the myths surrounding mergers and provide a useful set of recommendations to effectively plan and execute mergers in a manner which creates enduring value.

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