In the context of globalization, the number of cross-cultural enterprises is increasing, making cross-cultural management of enterprises, especially cross-cultural conflicts, becoming prominent and urgent to be solved. Combined with the case of SAIC's merger and acquisition (M&A) of Ssangyong, this paper uses several methods, including case analysis, logical analysis, induction analysis, and qualitative analysis to evaluate the causes, consequences of and solutions to cross-cultural conflicts, so as to reduce the cost of the cross-cultural transaction of multinational enterprises, and further display enlightenment significance for Chinese multinational enterprises. This paper firstly reviews the case of the cross-cultural conflicts in the M&A of Ssangyong by SAIC and expounds on the multi-facet cross-cultural conflicts in the M&A process, such as corporate culture conflicts, values conflicts, etc. Then through the differences in national culture, corporate culture, and the actual situation of both sides of SAIC Ssangyong, the paper analyzes the causes of cross-cultural conflicts and elaborates on their influence on the transnational operation after M&A and possible measures taken by SAIC. Finally, the paper provides suggestions for China's transnational M&A enterprises through the analysis of the effect of countermeasures to solve cross-cultural conflicts and reduce transaction costs.
Cross-cultural management research: Topics, paradigms, and methods—A journal-based longitudinal analysis between 2001 and 2018
