Methodologies for process harmonization in the post-merger integration phase

Abstract

Purpose Post-merger integration (PMI) has received much attention in recent years due to an increasing number of merger and acquisitions (M&As). Process harmonization plays an important role during the PMI. The purpose of this paper is to find out if there is any methodology available for process harmonization in the PMI phase. From a PMI/M&A perspective, business process management (BPM)/quality management perspective and change management perspective, the existing literature is analyzed. Design/methodology/approach A structured literature review covering a wide field of publications in the interface of BPM, quality management and PMI-related publications is used to identify process harmonization methodologies after M&A and disclosing interrogations for future research. Findings There is hardly any connection found between PMI and business process harmonization in literature. While information technology/systems integration in PMI is researched in various publications, a special methodology or integration approach tailored for business processes and management systems is not available despite numerous literatures on PMI, BPM, quality management and change management. Nonetheless, these articles contain relevant recommendations as a part of the big picture. So here lies the optimal starting point for future research. Research limitations/implications Although this literature review has regarded publications of numerous databases, limitations might follow the selective citation due to thousands of articles in the field of M&A, PMI, BPM and quality management. Further, process harmonization and standardization have been regarded in largely as synonyms. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no systematic literature review in this interface has been previously published.