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The Notion of Performance in Merger and Acquisition Research

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Mergers and Acquisitions

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Abstract

A significant share, if not the majority, of M&A research is concerned with the issue of performance. While sharing concerns to better understand and explain performance, the degree to which researchers share views of what are acceptable or superior ways of regarding performance is significantly lower; a tendency that is strengthened once measurement of performance is considered. This chapter delves into the development of the performance concept by sketching the measures commonly applied in M&A research. It discusses the most common performance measures in M&A research, pointing to underlying assumptions, strengths, and limitations. Rather than pursuing an ambition to find a single ‘best’ measure, the chapter suggests the use of performance measures can increase in clarity, thus strengthening the use of M&A performance as an umbrella construct.

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  1. Stockholm, Sweden

    Svante Schriber

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Schriber, S. (2020). The Notion of Performance in Merger and Acquisition Research. In: Mergers and Acquisitions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40459-8_6

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