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A Systematic Review of Research on Sustainability in Mergers and Acquisitions

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  • Thais González-Torres

    (Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Paseo de los Artilleros, s/n, 28032 Madrid, Spain)

  • José-Luis Rodríguez-Sánchez

    (Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Paseo de los Artilleros, s/n, 28032 Madrid, Spain)

  • Eva Pelechano-Barahona

    (Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Paseo de los Artilleros, s/n, 28032 Madrid, Spain)

  • Fernando E. García-Muiña

    (Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Paseo de los Artilleros, s/n, 28032 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The field of mergers and acquisitions and sustainability has been expanding in the last years; consequently, there is a need for a systematic review of the existing body of knowledge. This article aims to fill this gap by providing an overview and synthesis of the research topic. The specific objectives are (1) to assess the academic impact, and (2) to determine the structure of the topic. To achieve these goals, a bibliometric analysis will be carried out through a selection of articles taken from the WoS database from 1900 to 2019. First, the historical evolution of publications will be addressed, the distribution of articles by journal and by individual author, as well as the total number of citations per article. Second, this article will develop networks of co-citations of authors and journals and co-word analysis by using VOS Viewer software. The global results will provide insights into the nature and trends of research on mergers and acquisitions and sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Thais González-Torres & José-Luis Rodríguez-Sánchez & Eva Pelechano-Barahona & Fernando E. García-Muiña, 2020. "A Systematic Review of Research on Sustainability in Mergers and Acquisitions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:2:p:513-:d:306933
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    Cited by:

    1. Jinho Choi & Yong Sik Chang, 2020. "Development of a New Methodology to Identity Promising Technology Areas Using M&A Information," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    2. Jiaqi Chen & Xi Zhao & Xiaotong Niu & Ying Han Fan & Grantley Taylor, 2020. "Does M&A Financing Affect Firm Performance under Different Ownership Types?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Haitham Nobanee & Fatima Youssef Al Hamadi & Fatma Ali Abdulaziz & Lina Subhi Abukarsh & Aysha Falah Alqahtani & Shayma Khalifa AlSubaey & Sara Mohamed Alqahtani & Hamama Abdulla Almansoori, 2021. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainability and Risk Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Ilaria Galavotti & Daniele Cerrato & Franca Cantoni, 2020. "Surviving after Cross-Border Acquisitions: How Business Relatedness, Host Country Experience, and Cultural Distance Affect Acquired Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Jinesh Jain & Nidhi Walia & Simarjeet Singh & Esha Jain, 2022. "Mapping the field of behavioural biases: a literature review using bibliometric analysis," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(3), pages 823-855, September.
    6. Hossain, Mohammed Sawkat, 2021. "Merger & Acquisitions (M&As) as an important strategic vehicle in business: Thematic areas, research avenues & possible suggestions," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    7. Diana Marieta Mihaiu & Radu-Alexandru Șerban & Alin Opreana & Mihai Țichindelean & Vasile Brătian & Liliana Barbu, 2021. "The Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions and Sustainability on Company Performance in the Pharmaceutical Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, June.
    8. Zsuzsanna Vincze & Linda Hällerstrand & Daniel Örtqvist & Lena Rist, 2021. "Strategic Corporate Sustainability in a Post-Acquisition Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-29, May.
    9. Jost, Sébastien & Erben, Saskia & Ottenstein, Philipp & Zülch, Henning, 2022. "Does corporate social responsibility impact mergers & acquisition premia? New international evidence," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PA).
    10. Xiaoting Hu & Ximing Yin & Zhanming Jin & Jizhen Li, 2020. "How Do International M&As Affect Rival Firm’s Sustainable Performance? —Empirical Evidence from an Emerging Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-17, February.
    11. Sophie Fischer & John Rodwell & Mark Pickering, 2021. "A Configurational Approach to Mergers and Acquisitions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, January.
    12. Giulia Chiaraluce & Deborah Bentivoglio & Adele Finco, 2021. "Circular Economy for a Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chain: A Review for Current Trends and Future Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    13. Pavan Manocha & Jagjit Singh Srai, 2020. "Exploring Environmental Supply Chain Innovation in M&A," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-15, December.
    14. Xiaoxu Zhang & Yu Song & Hongyu Liu, 2023. "Too Much of a Good Thing? The Impact of Serial M&A on Innovation Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    15. Cristina Pérez-Pérez & Diana Benito-Osorio & Susana María García Moreno, 2021. "Mergers and Acquisitions within the Sharing Economy: Placing All the Players on the Board," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, January.
    16. Karolis Andriuškevičius & Dalia Štreimikienė, 2022. "Sustainability Framework for Assessment of Mergers and Acquisitions in Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    17. Olimpia Meglio, 2020. "Towards More Sustainable M&A Deals: Scholars as Change Agents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-11, November.
    18. Yunjae Bae & Kyungsuk Lee & Taewoo Roh, 2020. "Acquirer’s Absorptive Capacity and Firm Performance: The Perspectives of Strategic Behavior and Knowledge Assets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-28, October.
    19. Barros, Victor & Verga Matos, Pedro & Miranda Sarmento, Joaquim & Rino Vieira, Pedro, 2022. "M&A activity as a driver for better ESG performance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    20. Qing (Ray) Cao & Andrew N. K. Chen & Bradley T. Ewing & Mark A. Thompson, 2021. "Evaluating Information System Success and Impact on Sustainability Practices: A Survey and a Case Study of Regional Mesonet Information Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-23, June.
    21. Yulia Vertakova & Inga Vselenskaya & Vladimir Plotnikov, 2021. "Mergers and Acquisitions Risk Modeling," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, September.
    22. Roxana Manuela Dicu & Ioan-Bogdan Robu & George-Marian Aevoae & Daniela-Neonila Mardiros, 2020. "Rethinking the Role of M&As in Promoting Sustainable Development: Empirical Evidence Regarding the Relation Between the Audit Opinion and the Sustainable Performance of the Romanian Target Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.

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