Cultural changes during the integration process of acquisitions: A comparative study between German and German–Korean acquisitions

This study examines culture and the effects of cultural change during the integration process of cross-cultural acquisitions as perceived by the employees of the acquired companies. The sample consists of Korean employees of two international (German–Korean) acquisitions and German employees of domestic (German–German) acquisitions. Results of this study show that not only national cultural differences, but also cultural integration approaches by the acquirer, play a major role in cultural change after the acquisition. Further managerial implications are addressed.