Title: Causal ambiguity, cultural integration and partner attractiveness as determinants of knowledge transfer: evidence from Finnish acquisitions

Authors: Paulina Junni, Riikka M. Sarala

Addresses: Hanken School of Economics, PO Box 479, 00101 Helsinki, Finland. ' Bryan School of Business and Economics, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, PO Box 26165, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA

Abstract: This study aims to explain knowledge transfer in acquisitions by examining the impact of causal ambiguity of knowledge, partner attractiveness and organisational cultural integration (convergence and crossvergence). We test our model on quantitative data from domestic and international acquisitions conducted by Finnish companies. The results provide evidence for a negative influence of causal ambiguity and for a positive impact of partner attractiveness and organisational cultural integration. The findings also show that causal ambiguity can moderate the effects of partner attractiveness and organisational cultural integration.

Keywords: knowledge transfer; mergers and acquisitions; M&A; cultural integration; causal ambiguity; organisational culture; cultural change; cultural differences; partner attractiveness; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2011.040910

European Journal of International Management, 2011 Vol.5 No.4, pp.346 - 372

Published online: 11 Jan 2015 *

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