Understanding and Addressing Acquiring Firm Employee Concerns

We examine the often-overlooked experiences of acquiring firm employees during acquisitions. While previous research has focused primarily on employees from acquired firms, our study highlights the concerns, roles, and reactions of employees at different hierarchical levels within acquiring firms. We categorize employees into three groups—senior managers, middle managers, and lower-level employees—with different experiences during acquisitions. Senior managers navigate strategic decision-making and integration planning while balancing increased workloads and talent retention. Middle managers act as intermediaries between leadership and employees, and they often experience stress due to conflicting expectations. Lower-level employees, often the most affected by uncertainty, struggle with job security concerns and adapting to organizational changes. By synthesizing existing research and identifying gaps, we offer contributions and practical recommendations to improve acquisition outcomes.