The Tech Benefits of Company Mergers: A Closer Look

Mergers and acquisitions can buy companies more than just assets; they can also bring innovative technology. Researchers have taken a close look at Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2007 to 2020, using a method called Difference-in-Differences. This wasn't just a casual glance—it was a deep dive into how mergers and acquisitions impact a company's technology. So, what did they find? Mergers and acquisitions don't just give a quick tech boost; they keep helping innovation over the long term. The numbers showed that mergers can enhance a company's technological know-how by making production more efficient, adding to the company's digital knowledge, and strengthening their market power.But here's where it gets interesting: the effect of these mergers and acquisitions isn't just steady; it's different for different types of companies. For instance, mergers and acquisitions that follow domestic rules have a stronger impact. Also, smaller deals and non-state-owned companies see bigger tech benefits. So, what's the takeaway? Companies and the government need to think about these differences and use multiple strategies to make the most of this tech-boosting effect.