Performance feedback on sales growth and M&A: Evidence from China

Jianquan Guo and He Cheng

Japan and the World Economy, 2024, vol. 69, issue C

Abstract: This study examines the effects of performance feedback on sales growth relative to social and historical aspirations on corporate merger and acquisition (M&A) decisions and M&A performance. A sample of 924 M&A deals announced by Chinese manufacturing firms between January 2006 and June 2022 is analyzed using logistic regression and multiple linear regression. Robustness tests are also conducted to show that the main results are consistent. We find that (1) negative performance feedback relative to social aspiration motivates acquirers to undertake more risk in M&A-related decisions such as choosing overseas targets and using non-deferred payments in deal structure; while negative historical performance feedback significantly encourages acquirers to choose deferred deal structure. Positive performance feedback does not have a significant impact on acquirers’ choices; (2) In terms of M&A performance, both negative and positive performance feedback relative to social aspiration can have a positive effect on M&A performance; while historical performance feedback cannot affect M&A performance. This paper addresses the heterogeneity of the effects of performance feedback (which is divided into historical and social performance feedback) on firm behavior and contributes to the Behavioral Theory of Firms and Stewardship theory.

Keywords: Behavioral theory of firms; Performance feedback; Sales growth; M&A; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:japwor:v:69:y:2024:i:c:s0922142523000622

DOI: 10.1016/j.japwor.2023.101236

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