A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESSFUL MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS: RESEARCH, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

Despite the seminal research pioneered by J. Robert “Bob” Carleton when he introduced the corporate world of mergers and acquisitions to his idea of Cultural Due Diligence in 1997, most mergers or acquisitions still fail due to the lack of willingness on the part of “dealmakers” and others involved in the process to do what is needed to ensure success. Performance improvement practitioners, including those from the disciplines of human resources (HR), organization development, and training and development need to step up, take responsibility, and provide needed guidance and direction for those executives or senior managers responsible for the integration of two or more cultures coming together in a new organization following a merger or acquisition.