Mergers and acquisitions research — A bibliometric analysis. Issue 6 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eulerich, Marc; Kopp, Raphael; Fligge, Benjamin
• Is Part Of: European management journal. Volume 40:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 832
• Page End: 846
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: M&A -- Bibliometrics -- Co-citation analysis -- Network analysis -- Science mapping; G34 -- M10 -- M19; Management -- Periodicals; Management -- Europe -- Periodicals; Gestion -- Périodiques; Gestion -- Europe -- Périodiques; Management; Europe; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 658.0094
• DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2022.09.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2373

Abstract

Abstract: Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) remain a popular vehicle for organizational development to ensure future competitiveness. However, despite the extensive body of research in recent decades, significant gaps can be observed between the understanding of the phenomenon M&A in the literature and the importance of M&A activities in practice. Heterogeneous perspectives from different schools of thought, contradictory findings and controversies, and changing economic environments make M&A research a complex endeavor and highlight the need for integrative approaches and holistic perspectives. This paper takes a holistic view of M&A research to map interrelationships among key documents, authors, institutions, and countries; trace the evolution of M&A research over time; and suggest avenues for future research to expand the boundaries of M&A scholarship. For this purpose, a sample of 580 articles from 9 leading management science journals was examined bibliometrically, including 42, 630 citations and 18, 734 unique references for the years 1963–2019.