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Impacts of organizational culture(s) in the management of mergers in the arts sector
Thesis   Open access

Impacts of organizational culture(s) in the management of mergers in the arts sector

Mélanie Grenier
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/v6sg-4951
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Abstract

Arts--Management Organizational behavior Consolidation and merger of corporations Nonprofit Organizations
Mergers in the arts sector have increased significantly since the early 1980s (Yankey and Singer). Since 2008, the ongoing financial crisis has forced many organizations to consider defensive mergers because of significant cuts in contributed income, a greater need for sustainable business models, and the increased drive for optimization of costs and revenues. As growing competition and new market-based environments continue to increase the popularity of organizational partnerships, it is paramount to address one of the biggest obstacles of merging two organizations, and that is organizational culture. Current literature on mergers tends to convey that failing mergers all point to organizational culture and cultural leadership issues. Also known as "culture clash," this involves identity issues, poor communication, human resources problems, and inter-group conflicts. Euphemistically, and perhaps because of the culture of many arts sector boards of directors, when discussed, the failed mergers often fall under the categorization of "cultural differences". Such euphemisms do not get to the detailed drivers behind the failed mergers. Through an extensive literature review, case studies, and many CEO and board director-level interviews, this thesis lays out the cultural risks and opportunities inherent to the management of such mergers and provides a clear understanding of the drivers within organizational culture(s) that affect the success or failure of mergers in the arts sector.

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