Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Credits: 6

Schedule: 02.09.2020 - 07.10.2020

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Valentina Arrieta

Contact information for the course (valid 27.08.2020-21.12.2112):

Credits: 6

Schedule: 02.09.2020 – 21.10.2020

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation): 

Instructors’
contact information:

Valentina
Arrieta, valentina.arrieta@aalto.fi (appointments
agreed via e-mails)

Learning Outcomes: 

The course
provides the students with an up-to-date understanding of theories and
practices of M&A that will help them to understand the nature of M&As
and plan and implement post-merger integration successfully. Upon completing
the course, the students should be able to:


1.    Understand the challenges that organizational members
involved in mergers and acquisitions are confronted with;

2.    Analyze the M&A process with its challenges and
dilemmas from different theoretical angles;

3.    Learn to develop an integration plan for M&As that
would allow maximizing strategic synergies, while minimizing cultural
challenges and risks;

4.    Be able to assess and manage the complex dynamics in
unfolding M&A integration.

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• Applies in this implementation:

  Content: 

  The course
  offers a theoretically grounded and practically relevant overview of the key
  themes in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and specifically in post-merger
  integration (PMI). Building upon a theoretical understanding of organizational
  changes and M&A-specific concepts and frameworks, the course concentrates
  on the various problems and challenges in M&A and PMI. These include
  strategic integration and synergies, cultural challenges, identity-building,
  cognitive and emotional dynamics of inter-firm collaboration, politics,
  communication and learning.

  Details on the course content: 

  The course
  consists of two parts: (1) a more theory-driven discussion of different
  perspectives that can be used to analyze M&As and (2) a more practical
  application of these perspectives to analyze a real-life case organization.
  In this way, the course combines top-notch theoretical reflections and
  cutting-edge business practices.

  
  

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• Applies in this implementation:

  Assessment Methods and Criteria: 

  Assignments
  100%

  Elaboration of the evaluation criteria and methods, and acquainting
  students with the evaluation: 

  The course
  is graded based on the following:

  1.
  Pre-assignments: reflection on pre-readings 50%

  2. Integration
  plan (group or individual assignment): 50%

  1. Pre-assignments (50%):

  Reflection
  on given articles (max. 2pages per article, font 12, line spacing 1.0)

  ·        
  Summarize the key points and lessons of the articles
  (2points)

  ·        
  Discuss whether the points confirm or refute your
  practical knowledge or intuition (3points)

  Late
  submissions will be penalized by a 50%-point reduction

  2. Integration plan (group or individual assignment) (50%):

  Write an
  integration plan for a merger or acquisition of your choice. Length 12 pages,
  font 12, line spacing 1.5 (including references). Choose a case of merger or
  acquisition. Describe the case and the reason why you chose it. Also describe
  the motive(s) for the merger/acquisition. In your plan apply the theoretical
  perspectives discussed in class and covered in the pre-readings.

  The plan may include the following sections:

  • How will this deal create value
  • What
    will be the operating model of the merged organization, and how will this
    help to unlock value from the deal
  • Roles
    and responsibilities in integration work
  • How
    will identity(ies) be integrated or managed
  • What
    are potential emotional reactions to be managed
  • How
    will politics be taken care of
  • How
    will cultures be integrated
  • How
    will knowledge transfer be ensured
  • Communication
  • Integration
    schedule and justification for this schedule
  
  

Workload

• Applies in this implementation:

  Workload: 

  Contact
  teaching    27h
  
  Independent work    133h
  
  Total    160h (6 ECTS)

  
  

DETAILS

Study Material

• Applies in this implementation:

  Study Material: 

  A reading
  package consisting of academic and managerial articles.

  
  

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule

• Applies in this implementation:

  
  

  Session	Date	Topic	Assignment
  1	02.09.2020 17:00-19:45	Introduction
  2	09.09.2020 17:00-19:45	Value creation and design perspectives on M&As	Reflection paper 1 & 2 due on 08.09. @ 23:55
  3	12.09.2020 13:00-15:45	Emotions and identity perspective on M&As	Reflection paper 3 due on 11.09. @ 23:55
  4	16.09.2020 17:00-19:45	Political issues	Reflection paper 4 & 5 due on 15.09. @ 23:55
  5	23.09.2020 17:00-19:45	Socio-cultural perspective	Reflection paper 6 & 7 due on 22.09. @ 23:55
  6	30.09.2020 17:00-19:45	Managing people in M&As	Reflection paper 8 & 9 due on 29.09. @ 23:55
  7	03.10.2020 13:00-15:45	Learning perspective and knowledge transfer in M&As	Reflection paper 10 due on 02.10. @ 23:55
  8	07.10.2020 17:00-19:45	Practical perspective on M&As and wrap up
  9	10.10.2020 13:00-15:45	No lecture The time is dedicated to the integration plan consultation with lecturer, when needed
  10	14.10.2020 17:00-19:45	No lecture The time is dedicated to the integration plan consultation with lecturer, when needed
  			Integration plan due on 21.10. @ 23:55