A Study on the Post-Merger Integration of IT Systems in Retail Industry: The Case of M&A of Department Store

Purpose - This study aimed to examine how the integration of IT systems is applied in the M&A process in Korean retail industry based on the conceptual framework through the combination of related existing literatures. Research Design / data / methodology - The methodology of this research is case study which is centered on literature reviews with some interviews. We conducted a documentary survey and interviews about M&A case of A company. Results - The A company had a integration strategy and plan with IT expertise before it started execution of integration of both IT systems in D-Day and completed the IT integration of both systems efficiently and effectively. The A company utilized not one integration option but all of integration options by stages according to its situations. Conclusions - Companies should have their own integration strategy and clear integration plan with IT expertise to achieve the performance of integration. Companies trying to integrate IT systems during M&A process can utilize all of integration options considering their business context and IT system conditions.