Students shall be able to do the following:

Knowledge

• Summarize and interpret the reasons and success factors of M&A incl. post-merger integration (PMI)
• Give an overview of the main milestones of the M&A process
• Derive main ideas of business alliances as alternatives to M&A
• Set M&A in relation to other corporate finance transactions like Going Public and Private Equity

Skills

• Evaluate and analyze motives for corporate acquisitions or disposals
• Implement strategies for corporate acquisitions or disposals applying the above-mentioned milestones of the M&A and PMI process
• Analyze and interpret practical M&A cases and derive conclusions for the business practice independently
• Present results of the M&A milestones convincingly
• Set up an integration strategy

Competencies

• Apply and modify knowledge to real M&A transactions
• Organize complex M&A transactions on a strategic, financial basis
• Structure M&A milestones applying adequate legal documents
• Recognize practical business challenges in the areas of M&A
• Creatively develop a M&A and PMI strategy for buyers and sellers of corporate assets and corporate shares
• Criticize the result of M&A strategies in business practice
• Combine interdisciplinary knowledge (intercultural/conflict management, legal issues) to solve integration problems of an acquired entity
• Develop alternative solutions for corporate acquisitions or disposals and give recommendations to clients
• Comprehensively present solutions to clients and defend them

• Why Mergers & Acquisitions?
• Initial Phase
• Contacting Interested Parties
• Financial Aspects of M&A
• Legal Aspects in the M&A Sales Process
• Post-Merger Integration

Bruner, R. F. (2004); Applied Mergers & Acquisitions, Hoboken, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

DePamphilis, D. (2001), Mergers, Acquisitions, and other Restructuring Activities, San Diego: Academic Press

Ernst, D., Häcker, J. (2007), Applied International Corporate Finance, Vahlen, Munich

Weston, J.F., J.A. Siu & B.A. Johnson (2001), Takeovers, Restructuring, and Corporate Governance, 3rd ed., Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice