Vilken roll har du? En kvalitativ studie om rollfördelning och kommunikation i samband med uppköp av företag

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to contribute with an increased understanding of how role distribution can be managed in connection with acquisition of companies. In order to better understand role distribution in combination with acquisitions we also examined the significance of communication for role distribution. A case study was used in order to answer the purpose of the study. Previous research was studied concerning three main areas; mergers and acquisition (M&A), communication and role distribution. This research helped us to answer the purpose of the study by analyzing our empirical results with the previous research. The case study was conducted in a private organisation through semi-structured interviews with eight respondents, including employees from both an acquired and an acquiring company and one respondent representing the management. These interviews were later transcribed, coded and analysed through a thematic analysis into three themes; M&A, communication and role distribution. The themes were structured into subthemes which were placed under subtitles. The result revealed that the need of managing role distribution increases when an acquisition has been implemented. The lack of resources in terms of time leads to less prioritized time to role distribution which leads to a less compliant acquisition. It should be pointed out that the need of managing role distribution and how communication should be managed differ depending on whether it concerns the acquired company or the acquiring company. The acquisition will become more compliant if the management focus on both the work with communication and involvement of employees to increase their trust and receptivity. If the management do not focus on this, the risk of resistance among the employees increases. Furthermore, it is important that the management of role distribution is constantly on going. A conclusion was drawn that communication is an important tool that can affect how role distribution is managed in the acquisition both negatively and positively. If the employees are experiencing communication as good it facilitates the management of role distribution, which in turn leads to a more compliant acquisition.