COMMUNICATION IN A MERGER
Porkka, Tiina (2011)
Kymenlaakson ammattikorkeakoulu
2011
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201201031040
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201201031040
Tiivistelmä
Competition in logistics markets has increased and its nature has become more global. Entering new markets can be too risky alone and that is why mergers and acquisitions can offer benefits. Finding the most effective organizational structure and agreeing common ways of working is not easy inside one company but when two companies with different histories and values are combined, the work is much more demanding. Communication is one of the most important part of any phase of a merger or an acquisition. Choosing the correct way to share information and instructions is crucial for the new company.
My objective was to find an answer to a question of what makes a merger successful in terms of communication from middle management point of view. There will surely be new mergers and acquisitions in the future. The thesis could be a guidebook or at least give some tips to management on what could be done better in future projects.
The research was carried out as a case study. The target of the theoretical part was to introduce what issues merger will and can include. The research material was collected with semi-structured interviews. Direct and participant-observations were used to collect the data. The interviews were analyzed by using Thematic (content) analysis. As interviewees’ names were not published, one had a chance to get honest answers compared to a situation in which names would have been mentioned. Themes were created on the base of interviews and data. After that, finding and analysis were done and proposals for the future were given in terms of communication and communication plan.
Change resistance is a normal part of any change process. The situation of uncertainty can cause lack of motivation and more resistance if employees are not kept informed. The target of a merger is always to gain some benefits, for example intangible resources like knowledge and know-how. With efficient communication, information and values can be shared and synergies be reached. Vice versa, with poor communication they can be lost.
My objective was to find an answer to a question of what makes a merger successful in terms of communication from middle management point of view. There will surely be new mergers and acquisitions in the future. The thesis could be a guidebook or at least give some tips to management on what could be done better in future projects.
The research was carried out as a case study. The target of the theoretical part was to introduce what issues merger will and can include. The research material was collected with semi-structured interviews. Direct and participant-observations were used to collect the data. The interviews were analyzed by using Thematic (content) analysis. As interviewees’ names were not published, one had a chance to get honest answers compared to a situation in which names would have been mentioned. Themes were created on the base of interviews and data. After that, finding and analysis were done and proposals for the future were given in terms of communication and communication plan.
Change resistance is a normal part of any change process. The situation of uncertainty can cause lack of motivation and more resistance if employees are not kept informed. The target of a merger is always to gain some benefits, for example intangible resources like knowledge and know-how. With efficient communication, information and values can be shared and synergies be reached. Vice versa, with poor communication they can be lost.