Abstract
Mergers and Acquisitions can be very exciting events for organizations. The
promise of top and bottom line growth through synergy with another company
can excite executives. Unfortunately, research has shown, this promise very
seldom realizes as acquisitions are complex process that require understanding
and commitment from all parties, both from the acquiring firm and the acquired
firm.
The study will start off reviewing the processes that define, in general terms,
implementation of mergers and acquisitions. This will be following by a review of
the experience of the SASOL Oil acquisition of EXEL Petroleum. A detail
investigation of the actual process adopted by the latter organizations will be
investigated through empirical research.
And finally, the focus of this review is to identify gaps, a lack of certain process
and their implementation and statements and actions of ambiguities and
ambiguous situations. The resultant outcome of this investigation will assist the
researcher, in establishing whether the acquisition of EXEL Petroleum by SASOL
Oil provided synergistic value, and whether the implementation of the integration
process was thorough and successful.
Prof. A. Boessenkool