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Mergers and Acquisitions: Modeling Decision Making in Integration Projects

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Abstract

This chapter discusses how to model human behaviour and how models behave. To illustrate these two points, we provide an example simulation model of a merger and acquisition (M&A) integration project that incorporates numerous behavioural assumptions using an information feedback control perspective. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the model is capable of replicating four common M&A integration performance patterns of behaviour. Our example model shows how behavioural models can generate new and important insights about dynamic, complex problems, such as integrating a merger or acquisition. Such models are particularly suited to exploring the dynamic consequences of different behavioural implementation policies.

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Atkinson, S., Gary, M.S. (2016). Mergers and Acquisitions: Modeling Decision Making in Integration Projects. In: Kunc, M., Malpass, J., White, L. (eds) Behavioral Operational Research. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53551-1_16

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