볼보건설기계와 삼성중공업 건설기계부문간의 합병에 따른 기업간 문화충돌과 그 해결방안에 관한 사례연구

THE CULTURAL ASPECT OF INTERNATIONAL MERGER AND ACQUISITION – THE CASE STUDY OF SAMSUNG AND VOLVO

In this pilot-study, the case of cross-border merger and acquisition between Volvo Construction Equipment and Samsung Heavy Industry construction equipment division is studied from a cultural perspective. The research questions are 1) what kinds of cultural problems have emerged after M&A, and 2) what is the cause of these problems. This research is a case study with a deductive approach driven by two separate concepts of culture. Two theoretical frameworks are applied: 1) the functionalist anthropological concept of culture, and 2) the social constructionist concept of culture. It is also qualitative research in which in-depth interviews are used as one of the main method for collecting field information and empirical data. This research shows that, using theories from the functionalist anthropological concept of culture clearly suggest, when two significantly different cultures meet with each other, it is indeed possible to predict potential cultural problems in advance. For example, Korean wage system so called Hobongje which arguably is built upon the Asian culture of collectivism was significantly rejected and ignored by the western staff which is based upon individualism as a cultural background. To be an effective theoretical tool to answer how such a cultural gap can be effectively managed, however, the social constructionist concept of culture which emphasizes the role of identity and communication in cultural change was much appealing.