Decision‐making in conditions of constant change – a case within the automotive industry
Abstract
Purpose
To analyse how differences in decision‐making affected the integration of the R&D functions after Ford's acquisition of Volvo Cars.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is carried out in two steps. Step one analyses which type of approach Ford employed to integrate Volvo into the company. Step two analyses how R&D decisions are made by both firms and the consequences of found differences in decision‐making on the success of the integration process.
Findings
Ford's approach to the integration of Volvo Cars follows a symbiosis approach, combining a high need of both organizational autonomy and strategic interdependence. A symbiosis acquisition integration approach demands that the decision‐making processes are given special attention. The acquired firm's specific decision‐making processes need to remain intact in order to preserve its embedded unique R&D value creation capabilities. The decision‐making processes should be kept separate in order to prevent disruption.
Originality/value
The paper relates theories about firm acquisition processes and aspects of organization theory to establish a bridge between these research areas.
Keywords
Citation
Lundbäck, M. and Hörte, S. (2005), "Decision‐making in conditions of constant change – a case within the automotive industry", Management Decision, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 220-235. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740510581939
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited