Reconceptualizing the strategic fit in M&A

The purpose of this work is to reconsider the traditional, strategic fit concept towards an acquisition program perspective. To address this issue, the thesis investigates from a dynamic and longitudinal standpoint. Moreover, a respond to the call for a more integrative and strategic framework regarding mergers and acquisition (M&A) performance implications and a process-oriented research approach are incorporated. Following an acquisition program perspective is a rather novel concept and opens many interesting, new areas. Such as investigating M&As as means of ongoing business reconfiguration instead of as growth tools only. This work therefore, seeks for a better understanding of the strategic fit regarding acquisition programs and the long-term business implications. The theoretical framework was tested in a qualitative case study covering 10 years of acquisitions of two multinational players located in Europe.