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Socio-Cultural Integration in Mergers and Acquisitions pp 45–63Cite as

Relational Identity Construction in the Merger of Equals

Abstract

Values are an integral part of an organisation’s identity. However, during mergers and acquisitions, the accustomed values and, consequently, the identity of an organisation may be threatened. This can cause defensive behaviour that can be detrimental to organisational change efforts. In this chapter, we suggest a joint identity construction as a way to overcome such threats. We look into the relational approach to identity construction, arguing that through values, organisations can attempt to harmonise members’ identity work during post-acquisition integration. Such attempts are well illustrated in our empirical case.

Keywords

  • Values
  • Identity construction
  • Identity work
  • Post-acquisition integration

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Johanna Raitis & Riikka Harikkala-Laihinen

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  1. Johanna Raitis
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  2. Riikka Harikkala-Laihinen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Johanna Raitis

  2. University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Riikka Harikkala-Laihinen

  3. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    Mélanie E. Hassett

  4. University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Niina Nummela

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Raitis, J., Harikkala-Laihinen, R. (2018). Relational Identity Construction in the Merger of Equals. In: Raitis, J., Harikkala-Laihinen, R., Hassett, M., Nummela, N. (eds) Socio-Cultural Integration in Mergers and Acquisitions. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74341-7_3

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