Role of Global Managers in Mergers and Acquisitions with Relation to Cultural Integration

Abstract

Mergers and acquisitions have become the order of the day in the business world during recent times mainly for growing in the global market. Success of a merger essentially depends on execution of the integration plan which necessitates the evolution of the human side of integration. Thus, Human Resource Management and Development plays a crucial role in a successful merger. Issues such as human resource planning, compensation selection and turnover, performance appraisal system, employee development and employee relations ideally ought to be addressed by the Human Resource departments. With M&As especially at the international level, a global vision is required in order to break down geographic and competitive boundaries. Thus, the role of a global manager comes in. There is a need for the right human resource strategies to give global managers the tools and support they need to make the merger a success. The aim of this paper therefore, would be to establish the crucial role played by the HR managers aligned with that of a global manager during M&As and trace the depths to which their roles penetrate in achieving a successful merger especially when international mergers are on the rise.