Introduction to the Special Issue. 'Connectivity' in Merging Organizations: Beyond Traditional Cultural Perspectives

Abstract

This editorial provides an introduction to the themes of this special issue on ‘connectivity’ in merging organizations. The growing impact of mergers and acquisitions on organizations, industries and economies has generated substantial research interest in the ensuing change processes from strategic, human resource and cultural perspectives. However, this research has focused on certain perspectives and failed to interrogate others. In the case of the cultural perspective, researchers have tended to focus on cultural differences between merging firms and how these differences may be bridged. This focus has provided important insights into the dynamics of these processes, but at the same time has constrained our appreciation of the richness of connectivity between organizations and their contexts as well as clouded our efforts in developing new concepts and angles for research. Through the focus of the special issue on connectivity, the strengths and limitations of the cultural paradigm in M&A research will be debated and a research agenda for the future suggested.