The Impact of Life Cycle Stage on Firm Acquisitions
Document Type
Article
Keywords
acquisitions; mergers; firm life cycle
Identifier Data
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJAIM-02-2019-0027
Publisher
Emerald Insight
Publication Source
International Journal of Accounting & Information Management
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the authors’ research study is to identify the impact of life cycle stage on firm acquisitions.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use a series of empirical databases to identify characteristics of acquirers and their targets. The authors then use logistic regressions and joint tests to identify significant differences between declining and non-declining acquirers.
Findings
The authors find that declining acquirers are more likely to pursue diversifying acquisitions and to pay for the acquisition with stock considerations. Acquisitions by declining acquirers result in positive abnormal returns initially, but post-acquisition returns are negative.
Research limitations/implications
The authors’ primary limitation is their data, which only includes public acquirers and targets, and runs from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 2010.
Practical implications
The authors’ research suggests that regulators, stakeholders and prospective stakeholders should consider the life cycle stage of an acquiring firm in setting expectations about motivations for and likely performance subsequent to the acquisition.
Originality/value
The authors’ paper is the first to consider the effect of firm life cycle stage on the motivation and subsequent success of an acquisition. Given the tremendous impact to shareholders of such significant transactions, understanding the acquisition process more completely is important to capital markets participants.
