Successful Human Resources Management Factors in International Mergers and Acquisitions

Abstract

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have received a great deal of attention in academic literature but the role of human resources management in M&A success is still understudied. Of the three stages identified in a merger and acquisition process (planning, integration and implementation), most research focuses on the planning and integration stages. Thus, the aim of this paper is to analyse the main factors that determine the success of HR management in the implementation stage of an international M&A operation: consolidate leadership; human resource provision and evaluation; structure, strategy and culture evaluation; and control of the merger and acquisition process. With this objective, we developed a case study of a multinational company that operates in the mechanical engineering sector. The results illustrate the main factors, human resource practices, and human resources management and behaviour outcomes undertaken by a multinational company during the M&A implementation stage. The case study allows researchers to learn from professionals and business leaders and presents a roadmap that can be considered to manage HR in the M&A process.