How Do Institutional Logics Evolve Over the Merger Process? A Case in the Public-Private Urban Planning Sector

Abstract

peer reviewedWe present an analysis of the institutional logics rivalries during a merger process. We performed an in-depth longitudinal analysis of a private-public merger between two listed companies in the town planning sector. The case study was based on passive and participant observations over two years, 54 semi-structured interviews and archival records analysis. We underline that the implementation of strategic change during the merger process was fostered by the ability of the actors to combine institutional logics through three concrete practices: redefining the authority, identity and legitimacy of the new organization. We contribute to the refining of the merger literature by offering insights from the institutional logics perspective and provide managerial recommendations to facilitate the post-merger integration process