Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

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.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 19.04.2022 - 24.05.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sami Itani

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

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

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

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    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.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Assignments 100%

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact teaching    30h
    Independent work    130h
    Total    160h (6 ECTS)

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course syllabus will be available prior to the course with further detailed information.

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring V
    2023-2024 Spring V

    Enrollment :

    The course is restricted to 55 students. Students are admitted to the course in the following priority order: 1) MIB/Global Management/People Management and Organizational Development students 2) CEMS Students 3) Other BIZ Master's students/exchange students 4) Other Aalto students