ABSTRACT

This chapter presents the leadership attributes and actions that can enhance post-acquisition organisational performance. It discusses the importance of leadership during the acquisition process and provides the justification for the significance of the study. Leadership due diligence allows an objective assessment of the qualities needed from senior managers to effectively implement the acquisition process. The chapter describes methodology and data collection. Acquisitions are an important vehicle for corporate profitability and growth. One of the reasons that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) fail to achieve their intended synergies is lack of implementation skills, unclear vision and problematic leadership. This lack of skills is directly related to the due diligence process where organising for acquisitions takes place. The effect of leadership during M&As is a factor that can influence the acquisition's performance. An acquisition may also fail as acquirers often fail to plan and properly execute the integration of their targets, frequently neglecting the organisational, internal cultural and human factors.