Annette Risberg

Making Sense of a Transnational Merger: Media Texts and the (Re)construction of Power Relations

In this study of symbolic power relations in a transnational merger, we suggest that the popular media can provide a significant arena for (re)constructing national identities and power in this kind of dramatic industrial restructuring, and are an under-utilized source of empirical data in research studies. Focusing on the press coverage of a recent Swedish-Finnish merger, we specify and illustrate a particular feature of discursive (re)construction of asymmetric power relations; superior (Swedish) and inferior (Finnish) national identities, which, we argue, are embedded in the history of colonization and domination between the two nations. The findings of the present study lead us to suggest that a lens taken from post-colonial theory is particularly useful in understanding the wider symbolic power implications of international industrial restructuring.

Mergers and Acquisitions: Time for a Rejuvenation of the Field?

Mergers and acquisitions (henceforth M&As) have been studied from different disciplines from the ‘60s to date. Findings from these different areas, however, lack theoretical integration and scholars often express dissatisfaction with the fragmented findings. This note will address some of these concerns bringing scholars’ attention to methodological issues in studying M&As. The notion underlying this research note is that in order to further the M&A field it is not only a matter of finding new substantive issues to investigate and to develop integrative frameworks. Rather it is a matter of how we, as M&A scholars, study M&As, that is, a question of methodology. Our discussion focuses on the limitations of cross sectional research designs and on the need for longitudinal real time research designs as well for participant observation as an alternative method. While our primary focus is on methodology, we will also suggest some substantive topics where the knowledge and understanding can be furthered through a different empirical approach.

Editorial. Professor Heather Höpfl, 1948-2014: Eine Gedenkschrift

This is an editorial piece for a memorial special issue to commemorate the life of a colleague and friend. The authors are also the special issue editors.

Professor Heather Höpfl, 1948–2014: Eine Gedenkschrift

This is an editorial piece for a memorial special issue to commemorate the life of a colleague and friend. The authors are also the special issue editors.