Research Foundations

The following chapter provides a brief overview of the research foundations relating to the three main components of this study's title, namely the automotive supply industry, mergers and acquisitions, and the measurement of M&A success. Besides providing fundamental definitions, this chapter also intends to define the scope of the following analyses and to create a basic understanding not only for the current situation within the automotive supply industry but also for the theoretical discussion around the measurement of long-term value creation through M&A transactions. Overall, it becomes apparent that the automotive supply industry provides a uniquely competitive environment in which automotive suppliers are increasingly seeking M&A activity as a response strategy. For determining M&A success, especially the consideration of a longer time horizon requires a differentiated use of various available methodologies.