Competence Center
Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions are an important transformation engine of the global economy with a significant impact on national and international production networks, market relationships, and competitive dynamics. As they can trigger strong reactions in the financial markets and have far-reaching consequences for employees, suppliers, and customers, they are often of great public interest. Overall, mergers and acquisitions are associated with complexity and risk. Moreover, the available research data indicates that acquisitions often fall short of expectations. The Competence Center for Mergers and Acquisitions analyzes and critically examines current developments in this field. Based on our research insights, we can provide impactful advice as a trusted collaboration partner along the entire M&A process – also covering integrations and carve outs.
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multi-year partnerships with international corporations
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aricles published over the past 5 years
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practical oriented research outputs published over the recent years
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years of teaching in the #1 SIM Master’s program
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executive education courses offered
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5 core team individuals working at the competence center

Focus areas

Research

Learn more about our research in M&A, post-merger integration, and carve-outs in the context of corporate strategy and business transformation.

Teaching

Discover our range of courses on M&A in the Master's and PhD programs of the University of St.Gallen

Executive Education

Get to know our range of part-time executive education programs focused on M&A, post-merger integration, and carve-outs.

Future of M&A

Learn about our activities on the topic of the "Future of M&A" and become part of our expert network in corporate strategy and M&A.

News

9. October 2025

New Publication – Artificial intelligence in adaptive strategy creation and implementation: Toward enhanced attentional control in strategy processes

This publication by Prof. Dr. Tomi Laamanen and colleagues explores how proprietary AI systems transform strategic management processes. Using the attention-based view as a framework, the study highlights how company-specific AI can broaden organizational focus, democratize strategic decision-making, and accelerate feedback through real-time monitoring. It also discusses challenges linked to AI-driven attentional control and outlines directions for future research. 👉 Read the abstract here.

9. October 2025

New Publication – The role of CEO integrity in M&A decision-making

New research by Prof. Dr. Tomi Laamanen and colleagues in the Strategic Management Journal explores how CEO integrity shapes M&A decision-making. The study shows that high-integrity CEOs act more cautiously, avoiding risky or large-scale acquisitions and paying lower premiums—protecting firms from costly mistakes but sometimes missing growth opportunities. 👉 Read the abstract here.

9. October 2025

New Publication – EXPRESS: Comprehensive vs. Speed: Investor Reactions to Due Diligence Length under Varying Industry Conditions

A recent study by Prof. Dr. Tomi Laamanen and colleagues investigates how the pace of due diligence impacts the success of acquisitions. Analyzing 501 M&A deals of S&P 1500 firms, the research reveals that both excessively fast and overly slow due diligence can reduce acquirer performance, with optimal results achieved at a balanced speed. The findings underscore how industry complexity and dynamism shape this balance. 👉 Read the abstract here

Research

At the Mergers & Acquisitions Competence Center, we leverage the unique potential of transactions to transform businesses and enhance corporate strategies. By connecting top interdisciplinary researchers with industry partners, we explore the entire transaction process, from strategic decision-making to long-term impact.
Through advanced research projects, we identify and address dysfunctional behaviors, providing innovative solutions for organizational success. Our methodologies, such as panel analyses, event study methodologies, and case studies, help us understand the dynamics among key players like internal strategy and M&A departments, boards, financial market participants, analysts, and advisors.

Academic Publications

Our academic publications provide insights into current research and innovative developments in the field of M&A. Discover a selection of our publications.

Practice-oriented publications

Our practice-oriented publications bridge scientific research with practical applications, offering solutions to current challenges in business and society. Discover how our research creates tangible value for real-world practice.

Teaching

Strategic Management

Master (Strategy and International Management)
Lecturer

Tomi Laamanen
Prof. Dr. Dr.
Professor of Strategic Management

Mergers & Acquisitions

Master (Strategy and International Management)
Lecturer

Managing Mergers and Acquisitions

Master (General Management)
Lecturer

Di Bian
Dr.
International Postdoc Fellow and Lecturer

Executive Education

Next to the high professional quality, the executive education programs at the Institute of Management and Strategy provide for an exclusive network of individuals, corporates and research institutes and collaboration partners. The focus is always on impactful learning paired with personal contact with fellow students, speakers, executives or network partners. The broad range of industry backgrounds of our participants ensures lasting cross-industry contacts that will successfully contribute to your personal and career development, as part an organization or as an entrepreneur.

Open Programs

For individuals, we offer public continuing education programs in the field of Mergers & Acquisitions. Our programs are modular, providing great flexibility to tailor your personal learning journey.

CAS HSG

Strategisches Management CAS HSG

Stärken Sie Ihre strategischen Fähigkeiten als Führungspersönlichkeit mit strategischer Verantwortung

Starttermin:
02.03.2026
Präsenz:
16 Tage
Kosten:
CHF 18'400
Details
Short Program English

Building Sustainable Strategies

Practical Use of Proven Strategic Tools for Managers in Executive Positions

Next Start Date:
05.05.2026
On-Campus:
4 days
Costs:
CHF 4'900
Details
Short Program English

Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Strategy

Strategies for Growth and Success Factors of Mergers and Acquisitions

Next Start Date:
11.05.2026
On-Campus:
3 days
Costs:
CHF 3'900
Details

Customized Programs

Using modern learning techniques, we design bespoke corporate training programmes for all levels of your organisation – from the board and C-suite through multiple leadership levels. New behaviours and mindsets cascade through your organisation and enables and accelerates business transformation, that is aligned with your strategic objectives and geared for maximum impact for your organization.

Our faculty and highly experienced M&A team will help your organisation to create a custom learning solution directly tied to your organisation’s specific strategic objectives. We centre our custom programme around what your executives need to learn to do differently, to achieve your organisation’s goals in the context of M&A and growth strategy.

Exclusive In-House Seminars

Executive education seminars from our public offer – exclusively for you at your location. The target group depends on the content of the respective training program.

Integration Playbook

Developing a unique, well-suited corporate concept for successful future integrations

Cases in M&A

Understanding the underlying deal rationale of recent, relevant deals, and deriving specific learnings for your organization to overcome (the PMI) pitfalls

Carve out Complexity Assessment

Conducting a pre-deal analysis of the carve out situation to determine the degree of readiness of your organization to divest and separate certain underperforming business areas

Synergy assessment and realization

A guide on how to really understand the mechanics of synergies and its pre-requisites to realization.

Value creation plan

How to build a reliable and sound value creation plan – just like a PE houses – that will ensured to achieve your deal goals.

Cases

Our courses are case based. You learn from real-life examples. Our Faculty peers up with hands-on operational practitioners. All our cases are based on actually executed deals. We bring the corporate and investor view to you. This is how the “real” learning is happening. Develop your case further with our insights and be challenged by your peers and derive profound insigths.

The Future of Mergers & Acquisitions

  • What does the future of M&A look like?
  • Does AI replace the traditional strategy process in companies?
  • How will AI change the M&A process?
  • What is the significance of "ESG" in the M&A process?
  • What competencies does a company need to actively manage and successfully navigate these changes in corporate strategy and M&A?
  • What competency gaps exist in your company, and how can they be quickly addressed?

If you need to address these topics, feel free to consult with our experts at HSG. We are available to provide you with concrete, applicable, and proven concepts based on our extensive research. Schedule a consultation! We also look forward to engaging in a discussion with you.

Team

Tomi Laamanen
Prof. Dr. Dr.
Professor of Strategic Management

Daniel Michels
Head of Center for Mergers & Acquisitions

Di Bian
Dr.
International Postdoc Fellow and Lecturer

Thomas Starck
M.Sc.
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

Joonas Kauto
M.Sc.
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

Contact

Do you need more information?

I will be happy to help you.
Daniel Michels
Head of Center for Mergers & Acquisitions