Temporal Dynamics in Acquisition Behavior: The Effects of Activity Load on Strategic Momentum

Momentum theory suggests that acquisition experience leads to acquisition momentum in the form of a higher likelihood of subsequent acquisitions of the same type. However, this argument has been challenged theoretically and empirically. We reconcile conflicting predictions and findings of prior rese...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of management studies 2023-01, Vol.60 (1), p.38-81
Main Authors: Keil, Thomas, Deutsch, Yuval, Laamanen, Tomi, Maula, Markku
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquisition
activity load
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
momentum theory
positional momentum
repetitive momentum
temporal dynamics
Temporal patterns
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Summary:Momentum theory suggests that acquisition experience leads to acquisition momentum in the form of a higher likelihood of subsequent acquisitions of the same type. However, this argument has been challenged theoretically and empirically. We reconcile conflicting predictions and findings of prior research and extend momentum theory by incorporating activity load as a novel causal mechanism to both replicate the base finding and explain deviations from it. We find that a high activity load due to increased acquisition activity acts as a counterforce to momentum, decreasing the likelihood of subsequent acquisitions of the same type. Moreover, we also find that the interplay of routines, cognitive frames, and activity load causes companies to alternate between different types of acquisitions – from small to large and from large to small – as management engages in attention modulation to preserve momentum. Taken together, our arguments and findings contribute to an improved understanding of temporal patterns of acquisition behaviour.
ISSN:0022-2380
1467-6486
DOI:10.1111/joms.12849