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Mergers and synergy: Lessons from contemporary telecommunications history

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  • Majumdar, Sumit K.
  • Yaylacicegi, Ulku
  • Moussawi, Rabih

Abstract

Using contemporary historical data, the analysis reported in this article has evaluated the impact of the various mergers of the local exchange companies that took place between 1988 and 2001 on financial performance. Performance was measured using an important metric normally used to measure synergies of firms undergoing mergers. The analysis has revealed that the relative cash flow variable for firms worsened after mergers. If the synergy motive had been primary in influencing merger decisions, and also approvals, then the past mergers approved led to decreased performance levels and corresponding welfare losses for American consumers; thus, the mergers of communications common carriers were not in the interest of the public, the shareholders and customers. On the other hand, given the negative outcomes, views that the quiet life, hubris or a quest for possible market power motivated the mergers could be discarded. The lessons of such contemporary historical analysis have suggested that antitrust oppositions to contemporary telecommunications sector mergers may have basis in fact and salient evidence.

Suggested Citation

  • Majumdar, Sumit K. & Yaylacicegi, Ulku & Moussawi, Rabih, 2012. "Mergers and synergy: Lessons from contemporary telecommunications history," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 140-154.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:36:y:2012:i:2:p:140-154
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2011.11.010
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    1. Moreno, Plácido & Lozano, Sebastián & Gutiérrez, Ester, 2013. "Dynamic performance analysis of U.S. wireline telecommunication companies," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 469-482.
    2. Ryu, Min Ho & Yang, Shuying & Kim, Seongcheol, 2018. "Do telecom carrier takeovers create value? Longitudinal analysis of U.S. telecom carrier takeovers from 1996 to 2005," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(5), pages 395-408.
    3. Sumit K. Majumdar & Rabih Moussawi & Ulku Yaylacicegi, 2018. "Capital Structure and Mergers: Retrospective Evidence from a Natural Experiment," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 449-472, December.
    4. Xiaomin Xu & Qiong Wang & Dongxiao Niu & Lihui Zhang, 2018. "Synergistic Effect Evaluation of Main and Auxiliary Industry of Power Grid Based on the Information Fusion Technology from the Perspective of Sustainable Development of Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Hassan, Ibne & Chidlow, Agnieszka & Romero-Martínez, Ana M., 2016. "Selection, valuation and performance assessment: Are these truly inter-linked within the M&A transactions?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 255-266.
    6. Sumit K. Majumdar & Rabih Moussawi & Ulku Yaylacicegi, 2019. "Mergers and Wages in Digital Networks: a Public Interest Perspective," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 583-615, December.
    7. Navio-Marco, J & Solorzano-Garcia, M & Urueña, A., 2015. "Language As Key Factor Of Long-Term Value Creation In Mergers And Acquisitions In The Telecommunications Sector," 26th European Regional ITS Conference, Madrid 2015 127170, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).

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