Title: The intellectual core and structure of mergers and acquisitions literature: a co-citation analysis

Authors: Surabhi Verma; Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya

Addresses: NMIMS, Navi Mumbai Campus, Navi Mumbai, PIN-410210, India ' Faculty Room No. 614, ALB, NITIE Campus, Mumbai, PIN-400087, India

Abstract: The purpose of this study is two-fold. Firstly, it provides a consolidated overview of the existing literature on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Secondly, it presents the current trends and opens up various future directions for practitioners and researchers who wish to explore and contribute in this research field. This study used the bibliographic and network techniques of citation, co-citation and network analysis. This analysis involved an assessment of 50 most cited research articles published over a period of 24. Social network analysis was used to visually map the resultant M&A domain as knowledge fractal. The current findings indicate that M&A decision makers need to comprehend both the strategic logic and utility of an M&A initiative. Further, it was also found that the real crux of M&A success resides in how the initiative is implemented. Cultural integration between the acquiring and the acquired firm remains pivotal in M&A success.

Keywords: mergers and acquisitions; citations; co-citations; social network analysis; research themes; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2019.102712

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2019 Vol.20 No.3, pp.305 - 336

Received: 07 Mar 2018
Accepted: 05 May 2018
Published online: 02 Oct 2019 *

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