Merger and Acquisition in Developing Countries - An explorative study of Employees’ Perceptions of Organizational Change

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore employees’ perspectives and experiences following a major change in their organization of employment. The six underlying theories by Myeong-Gu Seo and N. Sharon Hill (2005) are the main theories used for the analysis of the findings. Additional theories by various researchers included are uncertainty theory, cynicism and resistance, and sensemaking theory. It is believed that emotions run high during and after major organizational changes such as merger and acquisition and there is no exception with the organization of the case study chosen for this thesis work. This study investigates how employees perceive changes after merger and acquisition, the impact it has on their career, the consequences they face as a result, and their coping strategies. The research was conducted in an organization that had undergone major changes following merger and acquisition. The organization is based in Nigeria. I gained easy access to the organization because; I had worked as Human Resource Assistance in the company before and throughout the period of change.