HOW GROUPS MERGE - THE EFFECTS OF MERGER INTEGRATION PATTERNS ON ANTICIPATED COMMITMENT TO THE MERGED ORGANIZATION

This study examined the influence of merger integration patterns on ex pectations about the merger process. The integration patterns included the absorb, in which the merged organization closely resembled the ac quiring company; the blend, in which features of both companies were m aintained, and the combine, in which the organization resembled neithe r pre-merger company. Undergraduates role-played employees of a mergin g organization and written scenarios manipulated the integration patte rn and membership in the acquired or acquiring organization. Participa nts' commitment to the merged organization was most favorable in the c ombine pattern. Path analyses indicated that the relationship between merger integration pattern and organizational commitment is mediated b y the conditions of intergroup contact, perceptions of organizational support, organizational unity, and the degree of threat experienced.