Ownership Similarity in M&A Target Selection

We study how ownership similarity between two firms affects the likelihood of an acquisition between them. Assortative matching arguments suggest that similarity between acquiring and target firms can encourage acquisition behavior since more similar partners can better understand one another and combine resources in a more efficient way. Previous research has confirmed this expectation focusing on traits related to industry, strategy and technology. We contribute to this literature by examining similarity in the type of dominant owner. We hypothesize and find evidence in a sample of 14,000 Italian companies that acquisitions are more likely to occur among firms with similar owners.

Keywords: Ownership structure, Target Selection, Acquisitions, Family firms, Corporate governance

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Bettinazzi, Emanuele and Miller, Danny and Amore, Mario Daniele and Corbetta, Guido, Ownership Similarity in M&A Target Selection (august 26, 2018). Forthcoming in Strategic Organization, Bocconi University Management Research Paper No. 14, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3329162 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3329162