Changing Attitudes of Agricultural Corporations toward Merger and Acquisition and the Role of Support Organizations

Abstract

This study investigates the changing attitudes of agricultural corporation managers toward merger and acquisition (M&A) and the role of support agencies in this regard. Results revealed that a greater proportion of agricultural corporations had a positive attitude change regarding M&A compared with medium-sized enterprises. However, no positive change in attitude toward divestment could be confirmed among some management entities based on farm type, history of establishment, and number of stakeholders such as shareholders. In addition, legal support and coordination with the community and business partners were essential requests made of support organizations. These results reveal that when M&A is considered a method of management succession, support organizations are required to provide support tailored to the management attributes and actual conditions of agricultural enterprises.