Researchers at the University of Sydney Business School and industry experts will meet later this month (25th July) in search of answers to the disturbingly high number of corporate merger and acquisition (M&A) deals that fail globally.
While many companies turn to M&As as an alternative to organic growth, between 70 and 90 per cent fail each year. This failure rate, researchers say, has a negative impact on the corporate world, national economies and shareholders.
This month’s conference, titled ‘The Missing Due Diligence Files’, will look at recent research and draw on insights and the practical experiences of specialist firm M&A Intel. It is being co-sponsored by Merrill Corporation, Tricor Group, Merger Transition Management and the Business School.
“Many companies cannot meet all of their growth objectives through organic means and consequently, mergers and acquisitions continue to be strategically important,” says Associate Professor of Finance, Joakim Westerholm.
“Unfortunately, the failure rate is high and we need the insights of business, academics and practitioners to resolve it,” Dr Westerholm said. “This conference seeks to expose attendees to some important research and innovations locally and internationally for improving the success rate.”
The ‘Missing Due Diligence Files’ will include:
- analysis of the characteristics that appear to differentiate successful acquirers from others
- a critical examination of the process disciplines required for more predictable success
- the critical role of a much broader range of Due Diligence topics and a re-assessment of the place of DD within the ‘complete transaction cycle’
- a discussion of ‘buy side’ as well as ‘sell side’ imperatives
- the information flow that is needed today to make mergers work – is the same information being shared and analysed (how can this process be made more effective?)
- the important contribution that virtual data rooms (VDRs) make now and the developments that are underway to improve coverage, speed, security and auditability
In addition to the critical research input, the conference will examine local case studies (‘war stories’), particularly in relation to Risk Management practices.
The University of Sydney Business School (as Principal Sponsor) and M&A Intel have thanked Merrill Corporation, Tricor Group and Merger Transition Management for their support in developing and delivering this important conference.
Conference Details
Date: Thursday 25th July 2019
Time: 10.00 AM to 5.30 PM
Venue: University of Sydney Business School, CBD Campus, Level 17, 133 Castlereagh Street. Sydney
Info: http://mandaintelligence.com/