A merger or acquisition is usually a challenging endeavor with a single ultimate aim: to create value for the owner. However, stakeholder theory shows how such a narrow and one-sided focus is detrimental to value-creation in general - not only for other stakeholders within and outside the organization, but also for the owner. Especially in a merger or an acquisition, it is evident that there are many groups and individuals who have a stake in the success or failure of a business. So far, the overwhelming majority of research in the field of mergers and acquisitions has focused on the merging organizations, and so researchers have mainly studied internal stakeholder groups, such as employees and managers. This book shows how different stakeholders, internal and external, may play a critical role during a merger or an acquisition process. The book builds on empirical examples that illustrate how various stakeholders play active roles throughout the different phases, and, thus, ultimately affect the outcome and the value formation process of the merger or the acquisition. There is still much debate on how and when to best measure the outcome of a merger or an acquisition. With its comprehensive focus on stakeholders, this volume explores why some mergers and acquisitions fail while others succeed.

Understanding project endings is a significant part of project management, yet there is relatively little work published in this important area. This book addresses the gap, focusing on the successful management of project endings, showing how to plan for the ending of a project, how to create ending competencies, and in particular, how to successfully manage relations with different stakeholders of a project as it is coming to an end. Havila and Salmi use a real-life case in the airline industry to show how the successful ending project was achieved and in doing so portray ideas and experiences not typically considered in the field. Through the case discussion, the complexity of the process is unveiled and the achievement of success for all parties is explained. The book portrays three key success factors: ending competencies, to be developed both at the organizational and individual levels; efficient management of the business network around the ending project; and involvement at the strategic managerial level. It concludes that project endings are often complex and have far-reaching effects, and therefore, call for close managerial attention.

Contributing pioneering new research, this innovative book proposes new ways and directions in which to extend the influential 'business networks perspective' approach to doing business. While previous research has focused upon relationships with customers and suppliers, the authors argue that there is a need to expand the outlook to include other stakeholders. Taking a stand in a broad management perspective, chapters relate contemporary issues within industrial and international marketing, product innovation, and information systems. Challenging existing views and proposing elaborate alternatives; this volume examines a range of examples that have inspired researchers to extend the business network. To provide further understanding, Extending the Business Network Approach relates current and new research to territories, technologies and terms to reveal novel insights, and to encourage further directions for research.

Understanding project endings is a significant part of project management, yet there is relatively little work published in this important area. This book addresses the gap, focusing on the successful management of project endings, showing how to plan for the ending of a project, how to create ending competencies, and in particular, how to successfully manage relations with different stakeholders of a project as it is coming to an end. Havila and Salmi use a real-life case in the airline industry to show how the successful ending project was achieved and in doing so portray ideas and experiences not typically considered in the field. Through the case discussion, the complexity of the process is unveiled and the achievement of success for all parties is explained. The book portrays three key success factors: ending competencies, to be developed both at the organizational and individual levels; efficient management of the business network around the ending project; and involvement at the strategic managerial level. It concludes that project endings are often complex and have far-reaching effects, and therefore, call for close managerial attention.