Determinants of Cross-Border M&As in Developing Countries

During the last three decades, the importance of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) as a favourite top-level managerial strategy of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and national champions has increased significantly. The global value of cross-border M&As has grown from around USD 100 billion in 1990 to USD 815 billion in 2018, peaking in 2007 with over USD 1 trillion just before the outbreak of the global financial crisis. This development is not surprising, since the ongoing globalization and the changing global market landscape lead to more complex challenges for companies. In order to face the increasing intensity of competition that accompanies the global integration of markets, cross-border M&As constitute an appropriate way of maintaining competitiveness and creating added value. The acquisition of pre-existing foreign assets enables MNEs not only to exploit synergies and growth opportunities but also to overcome latecomer disadvantages. In addition, M&As offer a time advantage over organic growth strategies such as greenfield investments, which is particularly important considering the dynamic market conditions and the shortening product life cycles.

This thesis examines the research question of which country-specific factors determine the volume of inbound cross-border M&As in developing economies. In general, the choice of a cross-border acquisition as an entry mode into a foreign market is influenced by three types of factors: (1) firm-specific factors such as prior acquisition experience, product diversity and core competences; (2) industry-specific factors such as technological, sales and marketing intensity; and (3) country-specific factors such as market size and institutional quality. While firm- and industry-specific factors also play a role in domestic M&As, country-specific factors are a peculiarity in cross-border M&As. According to the research question, the aim of this thesis is to identify country-specific factors that represent determinants. On the one hand, findings on country-specific determinants might be helpful to explain why some countries (e.g. China) receive more cross-border M&As than others (e.g. India). On the other hand, the results reveal which interests transnational companies pursue and how they change. Drawing on this evidence, policy makers and companies may be able to influence the determining factors in order to stimulate or impede inbound investments in form of M&As.