The role of growth strategies in acquisitions
Abstract
Using labor skill demand disclosed in job postings as a proxy for firms’ growth strategies, we findthat similar growth strategies increase the likelihood of two firms merging. In particular, a firm ismore likely to become a target as its labor skill demand becomes more similar to that of its potentialacquirer. Similar growth strategies ameliorate post-merger integration challenges in facilitatingmerger deals. Following the merger, the combined firm continues hiring the same skills, consistentwith the growth strategy persisting. These types of mergers experience more synergies andsuperior operating performance.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Economic Growth and Productivity
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Corporate Finance
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 100
- Pages
- 103036–103036
- Publication date
- 12 June 2026
- Language
- EN