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Private equity takeovers and employment in the UK : some empirical evidence

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Goergen, Marc, O'Sullivan, Noel and Wood, Geoffrey (2011) Private equity takeovers and employment in the UK : some empirical evidence. Corporate Governance: An International Review, Vol.19 (No.3). pp. 259-275. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8683.2011.00853.x

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8683.2011.00853.x

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Abstract

Research Issue: This study investigates the employment consequences of private equity acquisitions, in particular institutional buyouts (IBOs), in the UK. It involves a pre- and post-acquisition analysis of employment and performance characteristics for a sample of acquired firms and a matched sample of non-acquired firms.

Research Findings: There is a significant decrease in employment in acquired firms in the year immediately after the completion of the IBO compared with non-acquired firms. Further analysis fails to identify any parallel or subsequent increase in firm productivity or profitability. This evidence suggests that the observed downsizing has not been effective either in disciplining staff or imparting a clearer focus to activities.

Academic Implications: The results of this study add to our understanding of the employment effects of private equity acquisitions, especially IBOs. Two important theoretical issues emerge. The first is a need to conceptualize skills and human capabilities on a collective dimension, specific to a particular organizational setting, and the extent to which they contribute to the organization's performance. The second is the importance of understanding managers as operating in particular social settings, making subjective choices based on their specific knowledge and experiences.

Practitioner Implications: The main practitioner implication of our study is that companies acquired via IBOs do not exhibit increased productivity or profitability in the wake of a significant reduction in employment. This highlights the need for new management to better understand the link between employment and performance in the specific corporate setting of the acquired firm.

Item Type: Journal Article
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Strategy & International Business
Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Journal or Publication Title: Corporate Governance: An International Review
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 0964-8410
Official Date: 2011
Dates:
DateEvent
2011Published
Volume: Vol.19
Number: No.3
Page Range: pp. 259-275
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8683.2011.00853.x
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published

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