ABSTRACT
In this final chapter, I consider the stakeholders in the context of a merger or acquisition process and discuss the nature of the stakes that are in focus. The literature in the mergers and acquisitions field is extensive and vast, as has been noted in Chapter 1. Regarding the merger or acquisition process, the literature has essentially suggested that it consists of two parts. The first is often described as pre-merger, ending with a decision to acquire or merge. The second part after the formal decision is made would be called post-merger. The initial part of the process typically includes very few core stakeholders formulating and articulating the motives that are later made public and official. Examples of typical motives in the literature are: to obtain economies of scale, to acquire new technology, or to increase market share. The different chapters of this book modify these findings. The contributions of the various authors have shown that there may be both explicit, official goals and more implicit ones that also change during the interaction among the stakeholders.
