Title: Building production competence and enhancing organisational capabilities through acquisition: the case of Mitsubishi Electric

Authors: T.H.W. Minshall, E.W. Garnsey

Addresses: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK. Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK

Abstract: Corporate acquisitions can provide an effective mechanism for maintaining growth in conditions of technological uncertainty, but typically suffer very high failure rates. This paper presents a resource-based framework for analysing corporate acquisitions in times of rapid technological change. The paper discusses how such acquisitions can be used to access resources that are of immediate use, but also enhance the acquirer|s ability to access resources in the future. The acquisition of Apricot Computer in the UK by Japan|s Mitsubishi Electric in 1990 is used as an illustrative case.

Keywords: corporate acquisitions; resources; production competence; organisational capability; information technology; Mitsubishi Electric; Apricot Computers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1999.002719

International Journal of Technology Management, 1999 Vol.17 No.3, pp.312-333

Published online: 05 Jul 2003 *

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