Allianz and its fateful acquisition of Dresdner Bank

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Mark Thomas ◽  
Christian Weber

Purpose The Allianz acquisition of Dresdner Bank was announced as one of the most important deals of the year, in 2001. It was certainly one of the largest. In April 2001, the Munich-based insurance firm, Allianz, bought Dresdner Bank for more than €20 bn. Unfortunately, such optimism was unfounded. The projected synergies never materialized and in August 2008, Allianz sold Dresdner Bank to Commerzbank for €9.8 bn. The company had lost more than half its value in just seven years. The purpose of this article is to analyze how this happened. Design/methodology/approach The article is a case study of the acquisition Dresdner, looking specifically at problems of post-merger integration. Findings The article shows that problems of corporate culture were a serious handicap to the success of the merger. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 31-33

Purpose of this paper Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings One of the features of modern business is the increased involvement of customers in product and service development. Managers are consistently being told to engage with customers more and create a feedback loop so that what they develop can be enhanced. Articles in glossy executive magazines recommend this approach; product managers recommend this approach; it seems that any firm that did not include its users in enhancing its latest offering is doomed to failure. And yet, what evidence are there that such approaches actually benefit the bottom line? Like many developments in corporate culture previously, does the inclusion of customers in product development make sense, or is it simply another corporate fad? Practical implications Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. What is original/value of paper? The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Caputo

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – This is a story on how a corporate negotiation can be the turning point for survival. This case study is unusual in the business arena, as it is based on the role of external parties for the success of a strategic negotiation between corporations. It shows how an agreement was fundamental from a management/operational perspective, but impossible from a shareholder perspective. Yet, only thanks to the intervention of external parties that a successful agreement lead to the survival of the corporation. Practical implications – This paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – This briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 12-14

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This case study concentrates on the four-step approach of replace, restructure, redevelop, and rebrand that proved to be an antidote to the negative public relations created by Volkswagen’s (VW) emissions fraud revelation. VW recovered from the blow by aggressively realigning their focus to the environmentally positive electric and autonomous vehicle market. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 25-27

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – The case study and interview offers a unique insight into factors contributing to McDonald’s unprecedented success (it has paid an increased dividend for the past 37 years). It also sheds light on its successful internationalization strategy. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 10-12

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and to pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds his own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Classical management ideals have a strong masculine character. Open innovation would appear to offer opportunities to overcome this mentality. However, a case study from within the motor industry suggests that masculine “discourses” tend to be reproduced rather than challenged by open innovation. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers’ hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and an easy-to-digest format.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 40-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayanth-Reddy Alluru ◽  
Mark Thomas

Purpose Between 1985 and 2001, only 45 of 90,480 total European mergers and acquisitions were identified as a merger of equals (Zaheer et al., 2003). This indicates that there were less than 1 per cent of the M&A deals that could actually be categorized as a merger of equals. This paper aims to analyse two recent mergers and assess to what extent they are “of equals”. Design/methodology/approach The paper takes a multi-case study approach looking specifically at the Lafarge-Holcim and DuPont-Dow Chemical mergers. Findings Zaheer et al. (2003) point out that in the case of a merger of equals emotions run usually high, perceptions of fairness and unfairness are strongly related to identification with their former organizations, and the very idea of “equality” can backfire, as integration can never be equal in all its aspects. It remains to be seen if the Lafarge-Holcim and the DuPont-Dow Chemicals will truly be equal. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-15

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – The case-study article illustrates how a Finnish grocery retailer introduced a compelling alternative strategy, based on co-operative principles, to transform the organization’s fortunes in the face of increasing competition from rivals with global buying power. The study presents the four focal tasks of the vision and concludes with five practical guidelines for executives. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-37

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings There are associations between corporate culture and organizational strategy. Greater awareness of this will help firms ensure the best fit between the two elements. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 25-27
Author(s):  
Eva Zambelis ◽  
Mark Thomas

Purpose The aim of this paper is to see how NOT to manage an acquisition through the case study of one of the worst M&As in recent years: Emporiki Bank’s by Crédit Agricole. Although the role of the banks is to manage risk, the acquisition of Emporiki by Crédit Agricole shows how easy it is, when ill prepared, to make one mistake after another and get trapped without a way out. It can even cause to take such desperate decisions as in this case sell an entire bank for one single euro. Design/methodology/approach General review. Findings The paper shows that being a very successful bank does not guarantee in any way good M&As, especially in an unknown market. Preparation, understanding of the whole situation and reactivity is key for a successful M&A. Without it, the consequences can be disastrous. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 18-20

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – The case study illustrates the complex paradigm that interlinks economic and human rights obligations of states on one side of the spectrum and property rights and social responsibilities of tobacco companies on the other. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


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