Technology-focused Acquisitions: Performance and Functionality as Differentiators

Technology-focused acquisitions are an important complement to the firms internal product development efforts. There is considerable heterogeneity when comparing individual technology-focused acquisitions especially with respect to acquisition timing and the deal value.

To resolve some of this heterogeneity the author introduces the novel distinction between performance- and functionality-focused acquisitions. He characterizes this distinction based on a theoretical analysis, a qualitative study, and turns to a sample of acquisitions in the field of artificial intelligence for the quantitative study.

There are two key findings. First, performance-focused acquisitions take place earlier in a targets life cycle than functionality-focused ones. Second, the deal value is at a comparable stage in a targets life cycle higher for performance-focused acquisitions.

This thesis is relevant for management scholars and managers alike: Scholars learn about the implications of the distinction between performance- and functionality-focused acquisitions on markets for technology. Managers gain insights into how this distinction may guide their strategic decision making.