Strategic Value of IS Integration in M&A--The Relation between IS Integration and M&A as a Tool for Corporate Strategy

During the last decade research in the scientific domain of information systems (IS) in corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&As) has become increasingly popular. A not very surprising development regarding the significance of the empirical phenomenon of M&A and the importance of IS for modern business. However, the idea of IS playing an important role in M&As rests on assumptions, anecdotes from the business press and only very vague empirical evidence. By contrary, it has been demonstrated that IS do not always play an important part. In this article we argue that the absence of insight into the relation between IS and M&A hampers the development of the scientific field and distract business professionals. To overcome this lack of understanding, this article draws on traditional strategic theory, represented by the Porterian I/O-, RBV, and strategic process- perspectives, and examines how IS relates to M&A as an act of corporate strategy