This paper presents some ideas about determinants of merger waves and some evidence on their effect on profitability … and employment. A brief survey of previous merger waves and an analysis of the recent one give support to the hypothesis … that sectoral shocks are at the root of merger waves. Deregulation and globalization are identified as the shocks …

Mergers & acquisitions (M&A) are most popular external growth strategies. While the number of M&A has been increasing …