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1、阅读理解第四篇：However attractive the figures may look on paper, in the long run the success or failure of a merger depends on the human factor. When the agreement has been signed and the accountants have departed, the real problems may only just be beginning. If there is a culture clash between the two co
2、mpanies in the way their people work, then all the efforts of the financiers and lawyers to strike a deal may have been in vain.According to Chris Bolton of KS Management Consultants, 70% of mergers fail to live up to their promise of shareholder value, riot through any failure in economic terms but
3、 because the integration of people is unsuccessful. Corporates, he explains, concentrate their efforts before a merger on legal, technical and financial matters. They employ a range of experts to obtain the most favourable contract possible. But even at these early stages, people issues must be take
4、n into consideration. The strengths and weaknesses of both organisations should be assessed and, if it is a merger of equals, then careful thought should be given to which personnel, from which side, should take on the key roles.This was the issue in 2001 when the proposed merger between two pharmac
5、eutical companies promised to create one of the largest players in the industry. For both companies the merger was intended to reverse falling market share and shareholder value. However, although the companies skill bases were compatible, the chief executives of the two companies could not agree wh
6、ich of them was to head up the new organisation. This illustrates the need to compromise if a merger is to take place.But even in mergers that do go ahead, there can be culture clashes. One way to avoid this is to work with focus groups to see how employees view the existing culture of their organis
7、ation. In one example, where two global organisations in the food sector were planning to merge, focus groups discovered that the companies displayed very different profiles. One was sales-focused, knew exactly what it wanted to achieve and pushed initiatives through. The other got involved in lengt
8、hy discussions, trying out options methodically and making contingency plans. The first responded quickly to changes in the marketplace; the second took longer, but the option it eventually chose was usually the correct one. Neither companys approach would have worked for the other.The answer is not
9、 to adopt one companys approach, or even to try to incorporate every aspect of both organisations, but to create a totally new culture. This means taking the best from both sides and making a new organisation that everyone can accept. Or almost everyone. Inevitably there will be those who cannot ada
10、pt to a different culture. Research into the impact of mergers has found that companies with differing management styles are the ones that need to work hardest at creating a new culture.Another tool that can help to get the right cultural mix is intercultural analysis. This involves carrying out res
11、earch that looks at the culture of a company and the business culture of the country in which it is based. It identifies how people, money and time are managed in a company, and investigates the business customs of the country and how its politics, economics and history impact on the way business is
12、 done.1. According to the text, mergers can encounter problems whenA contracts are signed too quickly.B experts cannot predict accurate figures.C conflicting attitudes cannot be resolved.D staff are opposed to the terms of the deal.2. According to Chris Bolton, what do many organisations do in prepa
13、ration for a merger?A ensure their interests are representedB give reassurances to shareholdersC consider the effect of a merger on employeesD analyse the varying strengths of their staff3. The proposed merger of two pharmaceutical groups failed becauseA major shareholders were opposed.B there was a
14、 fall in the demand for their products.C there were problems combining their areas of expertise.D an issue of personal rivalry could not be resolved.4. According to the text, focus groups can help companies toA develop new initiatives.B adopt contingency plans.C be decisive and react rapidly.D evalu
15、ate how well matched they are.5.Creating a new culture in a newly merged organisation means thatA management styles become more flexible.B there is more chance of the merger working.C staff will find it more difficult to adapt to the changes.D successful elements of the original organisations are lo
16、st.6. According to the text, intercultural analysis will showA what kind of benefits a merger can lead to.B how the national context affects the way a company is run.C how long it will take for a company culture to develop.D what changes companies should make before a merger takes place.参考答案及解析：Achieving a successful merger，实现一个成功的并购。文章没有从技术和经济效益的角度来分析并购成功的因素，而是强调了一个在并购中容易被忽视的重要因素：文化冲突。不同的企业文化走到了一起，能否兼容是并购能否成功的关键因素。一个比较著名的例子是当年惠普与康柏的并购。第 1 题，问什么情况下并购会遇到麻烦。答案是 A 段的最后一句，关键词是 culture
