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Foreign and Domestic Takeovers in Germany: Cherry-picking and Lemon-grabbing

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  • John P. Weche Gelübcke

Abstract

This study provides comparative evidence on ex ante performance of domestic and foreign takeover targets in Germany for the first time. Germany is one of the most important FDI inflow destinations worldwide. Using a new database from German official statistics, unconditional comparisons as well as binary response model estimations of takeover probabilities were performed for the manufacturing and service sector separately. The results show a diametrically opposing impact of productivity and profitability on the takeover likelihood. This offers a conciliation of two supposedly opponent hypotheses, known as ‘cherry-picking’ and ‘lemon-grabbing’. The results advocate assumptions of asset-exploiting but differ only marginally between foreign and domestic targets.

Suggested Citation

  • John P. Weche Gelübcke, 2013. "Foreign and Domestic Takeovers in Germany: Cherry-picking and Lemon-grabbing," Applied Economics Quarterly (formerly: Konjunkturpolitik), Duncker & Humblot, Berlin, vol. 59(4), pages 275-294.
    • Handle: RePEc:aeq:aeqaeq:v59_y2013_i4_q4_p275-294
    DOI: 10.3790/aeq.59.4.275
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    Cited by:

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    2. John P. Weche Geluebcke, 2012. "Foreign and Domestic Takeovers in Germany: First Comparative Evidence on the Post-acquisition Target Performance using new Data," Working Paper Series in Economics 249, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    3. Steinwender, Claudia, 2015. "The roles of import competition and export opportunities for technical change," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 61154, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Chiara Bentivogli & Litterio Mirenda, 2017. "Foreign Ownership and Performance: Evidence from Italian Firms," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 251-273, September.
    5. Chiara Bentivogli & Litterio Mirenda, 2017. "Foreign ownership and performance: evidence from a panel of Italian firms," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), Uses of central balance sheet data offices' information, volume 45, Bank for International Settlements.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    foreign ownership; Germany; acquisition; firm performance; services; inward FDI; multinational firms; productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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