Acquiring Innovation

Abstract

We find a positive relation between mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity of a firm and its subsequent innovation outcome measured by the number and the novelty of the patents the firm obtains. The positive relation between M&A activity and innovation appears at least as significant as that between R&D and innovation. To identify causality between M&A activity and innovation, we compare the innovation output of failed acquirers to that of successful acquirers and find that failed acquirers obtain fewer patents and patents with lower impact relative to successful acquirers. Acquiring innovative target firms with existing patents is positively related to acquirer abnormal returns at announcement as well as acquirer’s long-term stock return performance after deal completion. Overall, our paper uncovers a previously undocumented role of M&A and suggests that acquiring innovation is an important motive for undertaking M&A.