A holistic approach to mergers and acquisitions in high-tech industries. Does the use of a holistic approach really avoid failure?

Introduction/background: The aim of the article is to check whether the holistic approach in the case of high-tech industries is the optimal solution in the field of M&A process analysis. Aim of the paper: Two research hypotheses were formulated: H1 – It is impossible to create an effective universal holistic model for even a single high-tech industry. H2 – The key element of the process of assessing the validity of M&A processes is the potential use value of the acquired knowledge and/or technology. Materials and methods: A quantitative analysis of articles relating to holistic models and sources relating to the specificity of specific market M&A processes were used. Results and conclusions: The results obtained revealed that the analysis of selected mergers and acquisitions allowed it to be stated that the key aspect determining the success or failure of the M&A process is the value of the acquired knowledge and technology and its applicability within the newly created organisational structures. It was also found that holistic models, apart from being cost-intensive and time-consuming, are also characterised by a lack of standardisation of the model and the lack of assessment at both the level of one industry and within a single branch of the economy. Thus, the creation and application of universal holistic models in high-tech industries may turn out to be ineffective and lead to decision errors at the level of the company's development strategy.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa Nr 461252 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2020).