The Interrelationship Between the Target and the Acquirer in Acquisitions: A Review and Synthesis

Abstract

While earlier acquisition research often focused on either the acquirer or the target side of analysis, recent work has increasingly emphasized the need to understand the dyadic interrelationship between the target and the acquirer. This review aims at synthesizing research progress in the area of target–acquirer interrelationships and understanding what questions remain unanswered. The author organizes this review into three dimensions of target–acquirer interrelationship: (a) their relative attributes (what both parties are relative to each other), (b) their connections (what both parties have with each other), and (c) their interactions (what both parties do to each other). Based on the review, the author then identifies critical research gaps and opportunities for developing a more comprehensive understanding of the interrelationship between the target and the acquirer in acquisitions.

Citation

Bian, D. (2022), "The Interrelationship Between the Target and the Acquirer in Acquisitions: A Review and Synthesis", Finkelstein, S. and Cooper, C.L. (Ed.) Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions (Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions, Vol. 21), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 31-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-361X20220000021003