Mergers and Acquisitions as a Strategic Mean of Creating Value and Essay

Mergers and Acquisitions as a Strategic Mean of Creating Value and Maximizing Shareholder Wealth - Essay Example An Overview of Mergers and Acquisitions DePamphilis (2008 pp-04-06) defined mergers and acquisitions as a part of corporate and management strategies dealing with the buying, selling and combining of different organsiations having similar business activities or activities that can support the present and future growth and development in a systematic manner. Over the years, the distinction between mergers and acquisitions has become quite blurred in respect to economic outcomes but continues to attract organisations (Cartwright, Schoenberg, (2006 pp. 11-14). Studies have shown that 50% of acquisitions have been unsuccessful considering the complex process and different dimensions associated with the actual outcomes (Straub, 2007). Lazonick, O'Sullivan, (2008 pp-24-27) stated that the rationale behind mergers and acquisitions is based on the thought that two companies together can be more valuable and robust compared to two different companies. Moreover, mergers and acquisitions help i n attaining cost efficiency by sharing operational and functional costs along with thriving to achieve greater market share and efficiency in a planned way (Harwood, 2006 pp- 24-35) Relevant Theories Mergers and acquisitions can be linked with various relevant theories. ... behave and operate in a manner that leads to the creation of an identity that helps in the growth and development (Postmes, Branscombe, 2010 pp- 11-23). Mergers and acquisitions help in creating new identity for smaller organisations while helping in revamping the identity of large organsiations (Akerlof, Kranton.2010 pp- 04-11) Role Conflict Theory is based on the perception that individuals and organsiations experience role conflict by finding themselves pulled in various directions as per the status held by them (Tang, Chang, 2010 pp-13-21). Hitt, et al, (2009 pp-12-23) stated that mergers and acquisitions help in creating synergies between organisations that in turn help in enhancing the worth and value of organsiations. However, Straub (2007 pp-03-11) stated that value creation and wealth maximisation is dependent on the nature and relationships of organsiations. It can be said that both views are directed towards a positive relationship creating synergy and wealth maximisation but dependent on internal and external factors. Value destroying theory states that mergers and acquisitions fail because firms fail to address informational constraints and focus too much on private utility function that affects the overall value creation process of organsiations (Malmendier, Tate, 2005 pp- 24-32). Straub (2007 pp -23-45) also agreed to this statement and stated that mergers and acquisitions require proper assessment of internal and external factors to create value in the business environment. All these theories can be associated with other relevant theories such as SWOT, PESTEL, and Game Theory. Armstrong (2006 pp-24-34) stated that SWOT analysis is based on analysing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of individuals and organsiations. Strengths and

Implementing international accounting standards Essay

Implementing international accounting standards - Essay Example "As markets converge and geographical borders no longer present the same trade barriers increasingly there is a need for globally accepted accounting standards. Business needs them, investors are demanding them and accountants are under an obligation to ensure delivery." Here the need for their implementation in the view of the largest professional body of accountants in the UK is expressed as being primarily for the progression of trade, as recent technological advancements in technology has resulted in a break down of previous trade barriers and we are now expected to compete in a world market. Groom (2001), saw the importance of international standards as being a key part of his 5 legged stool of trust, ensuring that investors in capital markets retain confidence and invest. This confidence has become core to the survival of these markets, especially in the light of recent high profile collapses such as Enron in the US and One.Tel in Australia. Since the 2002 decision of the EU the interest in the implications of IAS's and their implementation, along with their costs and benefits, has risen. The core of this debate and the ultimate benefit of International standards to the UK as a whole will be discussed in the remainder of this text with specific focus upon the benefits and costs to both quoted and non-quoted companies. Currently there is significant concern in the UK that there... It is this lack of awareness which is likely to cause considerable increases to costs required to implement the standards when the ASB does converge, as this is no small task and requires a planned strategy.It is hard to actually assess the cost which has already been incurred by listed companies since the 1st of January implementation date, as a full year of trading has not quite been completed and therefore there has been limited analysis as yet, therefore the bulk of this analysis has to be based upon theories and analyses undertaken before implementation in the EU and is therefore, to some extent theoretical. The costs of implementing these standards have been widely discussed and most of these will affect both quoted and non-quoted companies, however they will differ in their extent. The bulk of these costs will be incurred in the education of the users of these financial statements; any stakeholder of the business for which the financial statements are being prepared, will be effected to some extent, and will need to be educated in order for the company to survive the change. Stakeholders are extremely influential and include banks and lenders, auditors and shareholders, a business needs to educate these people on the change and its impact upon their financial statements, and in this education other costs will be incurred. Gerhardy points out that banks and lenders will require reclassification of debt and equity, leading to dividend payout issues, and the reclassification of debts will lead to renegotiation costs with lenders, this will lead to strategy issues and a need for good communication of the effects IFRS will have on business with the shareholders, all of which will result in significant cost to all