Entre os séculos III e IV d.C., no Período Imperial, Quinto de Esmirna compôs uma epopeia posteriormente intitulada Pós-Homéricas. Dentre as quatorzes partes que compõem o poema, os Livros V (O julgamento das armas) e XII (O cavalo de madeira) enaltecem a atuação da μῆτις em relação ao ambiente bélico, bem como exibem a depreciação acerca de seu modo de operação. Entretanto, ela se revela como uma habilidade vantajosa aos guerreiros por seu caráter múltiplo, capaz de mudar situações, sair de impasses e assegurar o sucesso àquele que for mais πολύμητις nas interações sociais e estratégicas. Desse modo, Odisseu torna-se um líder vital para que a guerra troiana chegue ao fim e, essencialmente, garante a vitória ao exército aqueu. Nesse sentindo, o trabalho pretende examinar o quanto a μῆτις e o herói astucioso são componentes imprescindíveis para o curso das ações. Ademais, a tradução dos Livros V e XII complementam o estudo e promovem o conhecimento sobre parte da obra. / Between the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D., during the Empire Period, Quintus of Smyrna composed an epic poem later called Posthomerica. Among the fourteen parts that compose the poem, Books V (The judgement of the arms) and XII (The wooden horse) praise the action of μῆτις in the war environment, while also depreciating its modus operandi. However, μῆτις reveals itself as an advantageous skill for warriors due to its varied character, capable of changing situations, escape impasses, and assure the success of the one who is better πολύμητις in the social and strategic interactions. Thus, Odysseus becomes an essential leader for the Trojan War to meet its end and is the primary responsible for the Achaean armys victory. In this sense, this study aims to examine how μῆτις and the astute hero are indispensable for the course of actions throughout the poem. Furthermore, the translations of Books V and XII complement the study and foster knowledge on part of the poem.

Bakgrund: Det blir allt vanligare att banker vänder sig till förvärv och sammanslagningar för en internationell tillväxt. Då banker inte enbart agerar som en finansiell intermediär samtidigt som globaliseringen skapar allt större bolag ställs högre krav på banker, där dessa utvecklas mot att vara universella med bl.a. bredare produktutbud och kundsegment. Storbankerna är centrala för det finansiella ståndet och är hårt övervakade och komplexa varelser. Förvärv och sammanslagningar kan inneha en stor påverkan på en storbank vilket kan påverka samhället i en större grad än vid andra branscher. Internationell etablering med förvärv är generellt snabbare och innebär fler konkurrensfördelar än en organisk tillväxt. Dock tilltalar många studier att en extern tillväxtmetod sällan är lönsam och organisk tillväxt bör följaktligen föredras. Erkända forskare hävdar även att finansiella nyckeltal även inte förbättras i de flesta fall. Dock tas ingen hänsyn till om målen bakom M&A är direkt finansiella eller ej. Syfte: Att identifiera de effekter som uppstår vid internationella förvärv och sammanslagningar, mätt i finansiella nyckeltal samt att skapa en fördjupad förståelse för vilka bakomliggande faktorer, motiv och målsättningar anses vara viktigast för Handelsbanken och Nordea vid valet av att utföra en internationellt horisontell M&A. Metod: Metodtriangulering tillämpats vilket innebär att både en kvalitativ- samt kvantitativ ansats appliceras. Samtliga globala M&A mellan 1995-2013 har observerats och bearbetats med kvartalsrapporter i kvantitativ metod, där ROE, ROA, ETA samt ETR beräknats med kvartalsrapporter. Öppna intervjuer med väsentliga respondenter från Handelsbanken och Nordea tillämpas för att besvara delsyftet med kvalitativ metod. Slutsats: Inom Sveriges storbanker kan det inte med säkerhet konstateras att varken aktieägare eller ledningen gynnas av M&A. Räntabiliteten på det egna kapitalet och tillgångarna tenderar att avta snarare än tillta, samtidigt som det motsatta förhållandet upplevs inom kostnadseffektivisering. Ses bankerna över individuellt står Nordea för den större delen av en försvagning i nyckeltalen, men detta är eftersom Nordea prioriterar en starkare förhandlingsstyrka och större marknadsandelar, vilket innebär tillväxtförklaringar som önskad synergi och följaktligen är målen mer långsiktiga än Svenska Handelsbankens där dessa önskar en finansiell förbättring omedelbart. Generellt förbättras kostnadseffektiviteten men inte räntabilitet på eget kapital samt tillgångar i samband med M&A. Individuellt skiljer dock resultaten åt p.g.a. bankernas olika strategier. De banker som dock förbättrar nyckeltalen avsevärt är SEB samt Swedbank. / Background: It is becoming increasingly common for banks to turn on acquisitions and mergers for global growth. Since banks are acting much more than only financial intermediary, while globalization is making large companies even greater, the demands are becoming higher on banks where they develop towards being universal, including broader range of products and customer segments. Great banks are central to the financial state and are tightly monitored and complex creatures. Acquisitions and mergers are likely to possess a large impact on a major bank, which later can affect the community in a greater degree than in other industries. International establishment of acquisition is generally faster and offers a more competitive edge than organic growth. However, many studies and scholars claim that an external growth method is rarely profitable and organic growth should therefore be preferred. Many scholars also argue that financial ratios do not improve in most cases. However, no consideration is taken if the goals behind M&A are directly financial or not. Purpose: To identify the effects that arise in international M&A, measured in financial ratios and to create a deeper understanding of the underlying factors, motives and objectives that are considered to be most important for Handelsbanken and Nordea in the choice of performing an internationally horizontal M&A. Method: Method triangulation is applied, which means that both a qualitative- and quantitative approach is applied. Global M&A between 1995-2013 preformed by Swedish banks have been observed and processed with quarterly reports in the quantitative method, in which ROE, ROA, ETA and ETR are calculated quarterly. Open interviews with essential respondents from Handelsbanken and Nordea are applied to answer the second aim in the study with a qualitative method. Conclusion: In Sweden's major banks, it cannot be stated with certainty that shareholders or management benefit from M&A. The return on equity and assets tend to diminish rather than grow, while the opposite occurs in the cost efficiency. If we analyse the banks individually, then Nordea stands for the most of a weakening in the financial ratios, but this is because Nordea prioritize a stronger bargaining power and a larger market share. This means growth explanations is the desired synergy effects and therefore financial targets are more long term than the Swedish Handelsbanken's where they want a financial improvement immediately. Generally, the cost efficiency does improve, but not the return on equity and assets. Individually, however, the results differ due to the banks different strategies and goals. However, the banks that improve the ratios most significantly are SEB and Swedbank.

改革開放以來，跨境併購成為中國經濟發展的重要力量。越來越多的外國投資者通過併購中國企業股權和資産，以利用中國的低廉勞動生産力或取得巨大的市場空間，各種跨境併購活動方興未艾。 上市公司併購是一個複雜的過程，從控股股東的併購動機，到整個交易過程中的各個具體環節所發生的變化，都會最終影響到併購重組的效果和利益在各方的分配。而過程中所產生的風險及問題，都顯示出外資在大陸執行併購時的「如履薄冰」。外資併購大陸公司的每個案例都如同一場商業諜戰，而法律正是這場戰役中，每個人所握有的重要武器。本文期能以外資的角度爲出發點，以外資併購大陸上市企業的併購管理流程爲軸，以大陸外資併購的相關法律規範爲緯，從併購管理流程的角度，思考過程中相關的法律操作實務，協助實務工作者瞭解整體併購過程的相關併購規範，並於執行併購中，能按圖索驥，按步執行併購作業，避免投資中國的徒勞無功。 本研究共分為五章，首先說明中國經濟體制及法律變革。第二章主要說明外資在大陸特殊政經情勢下的併購發展及所適用的相關法律。第三章主要說明外資併購中國上市公司時的操作流程，並且從企業管理的角度及法律角度說明兩者的差異。本研究最終歸納外資併購大陸上市公司流程區分為併購的預備、調查、簽約及履約四大階段及十個流程。第四章則針對上述每個階段的流程，分析一併購交易中會面臨的法律風險及問題，並於行文中，說明相關參考案例。第五章則說明本文的結論及重要觀察。 / Since the reform and opening-up policy , the Cross-border M&A plays the important role in China. In order to take advantage of lower cost productivity or grab the attractive market shares, more and more foreign investors use the M&A to obtain the stocks or assets. The M&A in listed companies is a complicated processdures. Each segments of the M&A processdures has different impacts for the effects of the M&A. Foreign investors faced lots of the risks and challengeswhile they try to initiate the M&A plan. M&A cases seems like the spy games in the business war filed and law is the major weapon during the attacts and defenses. The research is based on the foreign investors view and constructs the thesis by M&A processdures and M&A regulations. From the perspectives of the M&A processdures, the research will build the step-by-step processes and assist the practioniers to execute the M&A effectively. The rewearch has five chapters. The first chapter is to introducethe economical mechanisms and the regulation systems in China. The second chapter is to deliberate the major M&A cases in China and explore the M&A related regulations. The third chapter is focus on the analysisM&A prcessdures and construct the specific processdures, including four processes (M&A preparation, M&A investigation, M&A contract and M&A execution) and ten segments. Specifically, the fourth chapter covers the analysis of the business and law insights for each segment. Finally, the fiveth chapter concludes the observations.

This thesis builds upon literature that for many decades have examined the possible wealth creation of M&A’s. We investigate the acquiring firms share value response to M&A’s performed by public acquirers active on the Swedish market in 1998-2016. Our research builds upon previously conducted studies depicting both positive- and negative returns. Furthermore, our study considers how M&A’s are affected by merger waves and their creation of hot and cold markets. Our sample consists of 517 acquisitions including both smaller and larger transactions. Through an event-study, we investigate how the share value reacts during an 11 day event window surrounding the announcement of an M&A. Our findings show predominantly positive abnormal returns disputing much of the previous M&A research. Additionally, because abnormal returns are present throughout the event window, our results indicate that the Swedish market does not operate at a strong level of efficiency. Our main contribution is providing a coherent view of M&A’s conducted in Sweden during nearly two decades. As well as, providing evidence that M&A’s create value for the acquirer.

Cette thèse propose une approche d’ingénierie consistant à paralléliser des simulateurs DEVS existants, sans être obligé de modifier les algorithmes de l’implémentation initiale, mais en injectant des composants additionnels adaptés au protocole de communication intercomposants en vigueur. Les algorithmes de simulation de ces nouveaux composants appelés « Manteaux », sont définis. Une démarche d’ingénierie permettant de systématiser le passage d’une implémentation à sa contrepartie parallèle et distribuée est ensuite proposée. Cette démarche s’appuie sur les principes de méta modélisation et de transformation de modèles inspirés de l’Ingénierie Dirigée par les Modèles (IDM). Sa généricité en garantit la réutilisabilité avec tout simulateur séquentiel DEVS. / This thesis proposes an engineering approach to parallelize existing DEVS simulators without having to modify the algorithms of the initial implementation, but by injecting additional components suitable for inter-component communication protocol into force. The simulation algorithms of these new components called "Coats" are defined.An engineering approach to systematize the passage from one implementation to its counterpart parallel and distributed is then proposed. This approach is based on metamodeling and models transformation principles inspired of Model Driven Engineering (MDE). Its genericity guarantees the reusability with any sequential DEVS simulator.

Du fait de biais dont souffrent les dirigeants d’entreprises lorsqu’ils prennent des décisions d’acquisition, le M&A a une longue tradition de ne pas générer des retours positifs pour les acheteurs. Au travers de 3 essais, notre recherche explore l’impact de récentes évolutions de l’environnement économique et social, incluant 1) le déploiement des normes IFRS, 2) le développement des comités de conseil d’administration ou de surveillance, et 3) la publication de la Loi NRE, sur la performance M&A des acquéreurs en France. Analysant les rendements anormaux générés au moment où une acquisition est faite, nous trouvons que la performance M&A ne s’est pas améliorée, principalement du fait que les principaux changements intervenus ont laissé un important pouvoir discrétionnaire au management mais aussi parce l’adoption de nouvelles pratiques de marché ont pu être intégrées par les investisseurs dans leur évaluation de résultats d’acquisition. Nous trouvons aussi que les stratégies RSE ont un impact négatif. Cependant, nous trouvons que la mise en place de comités de conseil et l’entrée en vigueur de la Loi NRE, qui ont pu conduire à une transparence accrue de l’information, ont eu un impact positif. / Because management suffers from biases when making acquisition decisions, M&A has been having a longstanding reputation for providing acquirers with no or limited returns. Through 3 essays, our research explores the impact of recent evolution in business environment, including 1) the implementation of IFRS regulations, 2) the development of board committees popularized following SOX regulations, and 3) the implementation of the NRE Law, on acquirers’ M&A performance in France. Analyzing abnormal returns generated at the time of an acquisition is made, we find that M&A performance has not overall improved, mainly because most the changes reviewed can be assumed to leave a significant space for managerial discretion but also because new business practices become market standards integrated by investors when valuing acquisition outcomes. We also find CSR strategies to have a negative impact on M&A performance. We however find that the implementation of a board committee and the enforcement of the NRE Law in France, that may lead to more information transparency, have had a positive impact.

In this study, we try to understand how the strategic rationale and financial reports are created and developed by an acquirer with no previous experience, during acquisitions. We also investigate how the acquisitional capability of an organization is built up and competence established in a company without a dedicated M&A function and internal expertise. To accomplish this, we have conducted a case study, which analyses the processes of two completed acquisitions at an unlisted Swedish company with no previous acquisition experience. The study shows that for smaller, unlisted companies, internal acquisition experience and competence are not crucial to acquisition success. The corporate group in our study compensates for the lack of experience, a dedicated M&A function and internal expertise, by employing external experts. For smaller, owner-led companies, the ability to create rapport – a feeling of mutual understanding and affinity – appears to be more important in the acquisition process than acquisition expertise. You need to have a business mindset – you don't have to be an expert in financial analysis or law – but you must have the ability to surround yourself with the right people, connect with others, create rapport and dare to take risks.

In today’s ever-fluctuating global economy, it is necessary for companies to occasionally engage in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) practices in order to expand both their domestic and international markets, achieve financial gain and competitive advantage, and consolidate and enter new markets. United States companies, along with businesses worldwide, are now adhering to M&A strategies; in fact, the majority of the worldwide commercial sector has most likely encountered and been affected by the M&A process. Although there is increasing popularity of M&A in the international business arena, only a limited number of transactions have actually met business expectations, as the majority of M&As have been aborted due to unmet challenges during or after the negotiations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how some key U.S. companies manage their complex M&A negotiation processes to facilitate success. A multi-case literal replication study was conducted using archival records, documents, dissertations, articles, news stories, archival interviews from the companies’ experts, and M&A scholars to examine each case individually and determine the similarities and differences among the selected cases. The main reason for exploring this topic is the belief that the dynamics of the negotiation process can significantly influence the success of the M&A process, particularly with regard to the strategic intent of the consolidation, the monetary terms as well as the incentives to existing stockholders, the decisions on future leadership, and the culture integration challenge.

Under det senaste decenniet har antalet förvärv ökat kraftigt. Medan världen har blivit mer globaliserad, är vikten av att komma in på nya marknader och skapa konkurrensfördelar nyckeln till ett företags förmåga att växa. Att utveckla konkurrensfördelar kan visa sig vara utmanande, vilket gör förvärv av andra konkurrerande företag till ett lukrativt och smidigt sätt att vinna marknadsandelar. Börsen har stigit till nya nivåer, där den svenska aktiemarknaden är en av de utmärkande aktörerna i världen. Detta har gjort aktiemarknadsinvesteringar mer attraktiva, vilket gör det lättare för börsbolag att skaffa kapital. Denna studie undersöker hur antalet förvärv påverkar aktieavkastningen för ett förvärvande företag under en nioårsperiod. Studien undersöker om det finns ett statistiskt samband mellan antalet förvärv och den sammansatta årliga tillväxttakten för aktien, även kallad CAGR-aktieavkastning. Att identifiera ett samband kommer att bidra till svaret på frågan om förvärv är en pålitlig strategi för en tillväxt i aktieavkastning. Det råder oenighet i tidigare studier om huruvida förvärv är rätt strategi eller inte, för ett företag som vill öka aktieavkastningen. Studien hoppas kunna bidra till diskussionen om fusioner och förvärv. Studien delade upp urvalet i tre grupper utifrån antalet förvärv, för att nå ett tydligare resultat. Resultaten visar att antalet gjorda förvärv har en korrelation med bolagets CAGR-aktieavkastning. Resultaten visade att företag som förvärvade mindre frekvent under den givna tidsperioden överpresterade i CAGR-aktieavkastning jämfört med företag som gjorde ett större antal förvärv. Om man tittar på medelvärdet av aktiens CAGR har dock alla tre grupperna överpresterat Stockholm Large Cap-index. Eftersom resultaten tyder på att färre förvärv var den föredragna strategin för bästa möjliga börsutveckling, finns det sannolikt andra motiv som driver företag mot förvärv. / During the last decade the number of acquisitions has increased substantially. While the world has become more globalized, the importance of entering new markets and creating competitive advantages is key to a company’s ability to grow. Developing competitive advantages can prove to be truly challenging, making acquisitions of other competing businesses a lucrative and smooth way of gaining market shares. The stock market has risen to new levels, with the Swedish stock market being one of the stand out performers in the world. This has made stock market investing more attractive, making it easier for listed companies to obtain capital. This study investigates how the number of acquisitions affect the stock return for an acquiring company over a nine-year period. This examines whether there is a statistical connection between the number of acquisitions and the compounded annual growth rate of the stock, also called the stock CAGR. Identifying a connection will contribute to the answer to the question of whether acquisitions is a reliable strategy for a growth in stock return. There is disagreement across previous studies whether acquisitions is the right strategy or not for a company wanting to grow the stock return. The study hopes to contribute to the discussion about mergers and acquisitions. The study divided the selection into three groups based on the number of acquisitions, in order to achieve a clearer result. The results produced show that the number of acquisitions made has a correlation with the stock CAGR of the company. Evidence showed that companies who acquired less frequently during the given time period overperformed on stock CAGR compared companies that made a larger number of acquisitions. However, looking at the mean value of the stock CAGR all three groups have overperformed the Stockholm Large Cap-index. Since the results indicate that making fewer acquisitions was the preferred strategy for the best possible stock market performance, there is likely to be other motives that drive companies towards acquiring.

Company transactions are increasing in number and value and is a method used for external growth. The increase in mergers and acquisitions can mainly be seen during the last decades and is now a common strategy on both a national and international level. However, most transactions experience problems with fulfilling the perceived value and synergies. Furthermore, digitalisation has created a higher dependency of companies on various IT systems, and rapid technological advancement has made the processes and theories regarding IT integration outdated. Thus, there is limited research on the relationship between IT systems and company integration and integration performance. The study aims to explore IT systems integration in the context of company transactions as well as attempts to identify key factors that influence integration performance. To explore the field, an embedded multiple-case study was conducted with a company performing international company transactions. The empirical study can be divided into three parts. First, initial interviews to probe the subject and gather information to create a holistic view of the problem. Second, gathering qualitative and quantitative data on the cases and conducting in-depth interviews. Third, the main study and exploration of the cases and collected data. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to create the theoretical foundation for the analysis and to complement the primary data. The thesis found that an objective method to measure performance is needed since the general view of the integration is not necessarily representative of the actual performance. The factors that influence performance were identified as of both strategic and organisational nature, where strategy and processes are important early on to create a common view of the project. People change management and active involvement from both parties are essential during the integration. The thesis contributes to the research field by exploration of the gap between theories regarding mergers and IT integration as well as by suggesting a nuanced view of the current approach to strategic alignment. Furthermore, the study builds on the general theory of measurement of integration performance by suggesting a metric to measure the performance of IT integration projects.