Post-merger systems integration: the impact on IS capabilities

Mergers and acquisitions may disrupt the operations of the organizations involved. Major issues include the need to integrate personnel, business processes, information systems, and diverse information technologies across the merging organizations. However, if carefully planned and properly managed, the merger/acquisition and the resulting integration process can become an opportunity to strengthen the capabilities of the combined organization and place it in a better competitive position. This paper uses the results of a field survey to examine the effects of post-merger systems integration on information systems area capabilities. Factors influencing the success of the systems integration are identified. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.