Where has all the synergy gone? The M&A puzzle

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to understand synergies in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides excerpts from the forthcoming book Synergies: The Art and Science of Making 2+2=5 by Bill Pursche.

Findings

The six most common mistakes that acquiring executives make are: defining synergies too narrowly or broadly; missing the window of opportunity; incorrect or insufficient use of incentives; not having the right people involved in synergy capture; mismatch between culture and systems; and using the wrong process.

Original/value

This paper is a new approach to capturing the value of synergies in M&A, aimed at executives throughout the M&A process.

Citation

Ficery, K., Herd, T. and Pursche, B. (2007), "Where has all the synergy gone? The M&A puzzle", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1108/02756660710820802