Post-acquisition Managerial Learning in Central East Europe

Abstract

Managing a western acquisition in a central east European country requires substantial learning on both sides, on the part of the western acquirer and the central east European acquiree. While the research work underlying this paper deals with a variety of issues concerning post-acquisition management and learning in central east European organizations, the present paper focuses on aspects of individual, managerial learning following acquisitions in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. It is shown that the importance of appropriate cross-border management skills appears to be underestimated as compared to general business skills in the context of post-acquisition management efforts in central east Europe. The knowledge of the partner's language and a sensitivity towards cultural issues seem to be crucial, though undervalued factors for successful learning pro cesses on both sides.