Giampaolo Vitali
Ceris-CNR

November 1999

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between industrial structure and M&A process. We focus on the determining factors fostering a firm to choose controlling acquisitions or non-controlling ones. We use the Acquisitions and Divestments Database (ADD), a data-base collecting equity operations made by top-90 EU leaders in the period 1987-1997. A logit analysis shows some variables that increase the probability that the firm’s entry mode choice is a non-controlling-acquisition: firm’s size, firm’s diversification strategy, industry concentration, oligopolistic competition. On the contrary, the R&D differentiated industries and the role of the stock exchange market enforce the probability that the firm’s entry mode is a controlling acquisition.

Key words: Industrial structure; European industry, M&As; acquisitions; joint-ventures
JEL classifications: L10, L20, F23