Title: Transition of strategy, marketing, R&D and new product development policies after mergers and acquisitions: a case study of SuperPower Inc. under US, Dutch and Japanese ownership

Authors: Masaki Kawazoe; Pier A. Abetti

Addresses: Lally School of Management and Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180-3590, USA ' Lally School of Management and Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180-3590, USA

Abstract: This paper presents an in-depth case study of the transition of strategy, R&D and new product development procedures after the acquisitions of a small entrepreneurial US high-tech company, SuperPower Inc., first by Philips of the Netherlands, and then by Furukawa Electric of Japan. We summarise the findings of interviews conducted in 2013 with SuperPower and Furukawa managers, and the former first general manager of SuperPower. We discuss the acquisition strategies and integration processes of the two companies. Philips exercised benign neglect toward SuperPower because of lack of strategic fit, while Furukawa planned a proactive redirection of SuperPower's manufacturing process towards higher efficiency, total quality and lower cost. All key personnel of SuperPower remained with Furukawa during the first year. We conclude with the internal and external challenges ahead for the merged operations.

Keywords: superconductivity; strategy policies; marketing policies; R&D policies; new product development; NPD policies; mergers and acquisitions; M&As; post-merger integration; Philips Healthcare; Furukawa Electric; Intermagnetics General Corporation; IGC; SuperPower; research and development; case study; acquisition strategies; integration processes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2014.064044

International Journal of Technology Management, 2014 Vol.66 No.1, pp.32 - 56

Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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