Assignment Prompt & Instructions
Need some help with mergers and acquisitions assignment
– ## Module_Seven_Introduction.html.zip
– ## ModuleSeven_Resources_Change_Management_Best_Practices.html.zip
– ## ModuleSevenCaseAnalysisGuidelinesandRubric.html.zip
**## Module_Seven_Introduction.html.zip**
## Module_Seven_Introduction.html
## Module Seven
### Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will meet these learning objectives:
– Identify risks, challenges, and best practices related to postmerger and post-acquisition states
– Create a business case report to assess the future state of business functioning
### Module Overview
Preparing for the future is an important need that organizations must fulfill at all times, but especially during times of change. One method that helps with such preparation is the business case method. Using this method, organizations can challenge their critical thinking and explore alternative approaches to problem solving. Using the business case method requires the organization to simulate the outcome of various alternative situations and choose the best option available from the list.
Another method to minimize the risks and challenges related to change management is to analyze similar scenarios from other organizations. This is known as a case analysis method. This method helps in identifying the risks, challenges, and best practices based on the outcomes of other organizations.
Both these methods help you evaluate various business needs and their significance. These methods can also help you determine critical strategic requirements and ensure that recommended solutions meet the overall business needs. Additionally, these methods allow organizations to evaluate the impact that unexpected changes may have on key business decisions.
In short, by using the business case method and the case analysis method, you can test the robustness of business decisions and secure the future of the organization.
As a member of the strategic planning team of a life sciences organization in the Midwest, you have been helping the organization plan its exit strategy. So far, you have evaluated potential buyers and assessed potential risks related to the proposed sale.
In this module, you will determine possible effective change management strategies related to the post-acquisition phase for the organization in the course scenario. To do this, you will analyze a case study to identify various risks, challenges, and best practices related to how the organizations in the case study handled their change management strategy.
### Module at a Glance
This is the recommended plan for completing the reading assignments and activities within the module. Additional information can be found in the module Resources section and on the module table of contents page.
1. Review the module resources.
2. Submit your case analysis report.
**## ModuleSeven_Resources_Change_Management_Best_Practices.html.zip**
## Module Seven_Resources_Change_Management_Best_Practices.html
## Introduction
In this resource section, you will explore business scenarios and case analyses. You will also learn about different aspects of strategic design and its components, processes, and principles. Finally, you will learn about factors that affect postmerger integration and reorganization.
| | |
| — | — |
|  | Required Resources |
Reading: Global Mergers and Acquisitions: Combining Companies Across Borders,
[Chapter 13](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa.cloud.igpublish.com%2Figlibrary%2Fviewerplus%2Fbook%2FBEPB0000717%2F154%2F40288b8c2f8a9868012f8ac6bfa7000a%2Fff8080816294a6cf0162a9294c9e002e%2F40288b8c2f8a9868012f8ac6bfa7000a%2Fdetail)
This chapter in the Shapiro Library resource explores various aspects of postmerger integration and reorganization. In this chapter, you will learn about the degree of integration, task characteristics, procedural integration, and physical integration. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What is procedural integration?
– What is physical integration?
– What are the approaches to integration?
Reading:
[Issues and Analysis of Leadership, Strategy, Behavior, and Accounting of Mergers and Acquisitions: A Case Study of a Merger of Two Mega-corporations](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&custid=shapiro&authtype=athens,ip&db=bsu&AN=138949188&site=eds-live&scope=site)
To access this Shapiro Library resource, select the PDF Full Text option. This article from Shapiro Library discusses strategic issues of mergers and acquisitions based on a case study of a recent merger of two large U.S. corporations. The authors discuss issues related to leadership, strategy, organizational science, accounting, marketing, and others. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What role do various leaders and teams play in managing changes specific to mergers and acquisitions?
– What are some key potential challenges related to mergers and acquisitions?
– What are the best practices to ensure a smooth transition post a merger or acquisition?
Reading:
[Mergers and Acquisitions: Best Practices for Successful Integration](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&custid=shapiro&authtype=athens,ip&db=bsu&AN=36272037&site=eds-live&scope=site)
This Shapiro Library resource explores various best practices related to successful integration after mergers and acquisitions. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What are the key integration levers and components?
– What are steps of the integration process?
– What are the best practices for successful integration?
| | |
| — | — |
|  | Additional Support (Optional) |
Textbook: Strategic Opportunity Management (Tighe),
[Chapter 2](https://www.sweetstudy.com/d2l/common/dialogs/quickLink/quickLink.d2l?ou=1958908&type=lti&rcode=snhu-1999593&srcou=827343)
This chapter introduces business scenarios, their history, their value in making strategic decisions, and some drawbacks of using them.
Textbook: Strategic Opportunity Management (Tighe),
[Chapter 10](https://www.sweetstudy.com/d2l/common/dialogs/quickLink/quickLink.d2l?ou=1958908&type=lti&rcode=snhu-1999595&srcou=827343)
Revisit this chapter to review essential aspects of strategic design including its components, processes, and principles. This chapter also discusses future proofing the strategic design.
Video:
[Leading Change and Continuity](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fleading-change-and-continuity) (32:16)
In this video from SAGE Video, Jonathan Gosling, PhD, discusses models, processes, and best practices for leading change in an organization by using analogies ranging from movies and soap operas to Shakespearean theater.
**## ModuleSevenCaseAnalysisGuidelinesandRubric.html.zip**
## Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric.html
## MBA 699 Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric
### Overview
An important aspect of a change management strategy is to consider how different alternatives may impact future outcomes. Organizations often use the business case method to explore strategic alternatives as it helps simulate a real situation. Such simulations help with identifying business issues and provide critical information that organizations can then use to arrive at their own conclusions.
The VP of business development has asked you to analyze other organizations that have gone through the exit process. Doing so will help you identify common risks, challenges, and best practices related to mergers and acquisitions and apply this knowledge to guide the change management strategy of the life sciences organization. For example, if two merging organizations have extremely different communication styles or organizational cultures, it may often lead to conflict between the management and the employees. The same is true when one organization is acquiring another organization. Therefore, it is important that you identify all potential risks and challenges and include the best practices to avoid similar conflicts in your organization after it has been acquired.
You have decided to research a business case that may help you learn from the experiences of another organization.
The focus of your analysis should be on change management and the associated best practices that impacted the transformation of the organization in the case.
### Prompt
Review the case study
[Bumpy Road Ahead: The Automotive Interiors Merger That Wasn’t](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fcases%2Fbumpy-road-ahead-the-automotive-interiors-merger-that-wasnt). Next, consider the following steps to complete your analysis of the automotive case and apply your findings from the case analysis to your work in the life sciences organization in the course scenario.
Specifically, you must address the following criteria:
Case Study Review
1. Provide a brief overview of the two organizations in the case study that addresses the following:
1. Identify common characteristics of each organization.
2. Explain how the products and services of the two organizations differ.
– Describe the key issues that affected the merger plan and its implementation.
1. What were the key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations? Support your response with information from the case.
– Evaluate the postmerger integration and change management strategies used in the case. Your response should address the following:
1. How did the key decision makers respond to the challenges with the postmerger integration?
2. What led to the challenges faced by the organization after the merger?
3. Could these challenges have been prevented using different change management strategies? Explain.
Recommendations
1. Based on your findings from the case study, describe specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition risks and challenges for the life sciences organization in the course scenario. Support your response.
2. Recommend change management best practices the life sciences organization can use for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner and avoid the risks and challenges you’ve identified above.
### What to Submit
Submit a 4- to 5-page Word document using double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited according to APA style. Consult the
[Shapiro Library APA Style Guide](https://snhu.ink/ShapiroAPAGuide) for more information on citations.
### Module Seven Case Analysis Rubric
| Criteria | Exemplary (100%) | Proficient (90%) | Needs Improvement (70%) | Not Evident (0%) | Value |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Case Study Review: Overview | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Provides a brief overview of the two organizations in the case; identifies common characteristics of the two organizations; explains how the products and services of the two organizations differ | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include explaining the similarities and differences in the two organizations | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Key Issues | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Describes key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include describing at least one key issue supported by facts from the case | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Postmerger Integration | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Evaluates the postmerger integration and change management strategies; supports evaluation with facts from the case and addresses how the key decision makers responded to the challenges with the postmerger integration, the possible cause of challenges, and if these challenges could have been prevented using different change management strategies | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include using relevant facts from the case to support the evaluation, such as an example of how the key decision makers responded to the challenges, what caused the challenges, or what could have been done to prevent these challenges | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Recommendations: Post-acquisition Risks and Challenges | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Identifies specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition challenges in the organization from the course scenario; provides examples of possible risks and challenges the organization in the scenario may face | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include providing specific and relevant examples of possible risks and challenges that the organization in the scenario may face post-acquisition | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Recommendations: Change Management Best Practices | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Recommends change management best practices that the organization in the scenario can implement for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include identifying at least two change management best practices relevant to the organization in the course scenario for managing post-acquisition integration | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Articulation of Response | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Clearly conveys meaning with correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, negatively impacting readability | Submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas | 5 |
| Citations and Attributions | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with few or no minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with consistent minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with major errors | Does not use citations for ideas requiring attribution | 5 |
| Total: | 100% |
**## ModuleSevenCaseAnalysisGuidelinesandRubric.html.zip**
## Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric.html
## MBA 699 Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric
### Overview
An important aspect of a change management strategy is to consider how different alternatives may impact future outcomes. Organizations often use the business case method to explore strategic alternatives as it helps simulate a real situation. Such simulations help with identifying business issues and provide critical information that organizations can then use to arrive at their own conclusions.
The VP of business development has asked you to analyze other organizations that have gone through the exit process. Doing so will help you identify common risks, challenges, and best practices related to mergers and acquisitions and apply this knowledge to guide the change management strategy of the life sciences organization. For example, if two merging organizations have extremely different communication styles or organizational cultures, it may often lead to conflict between the management and the employees. The same is true when one organization is acquiring another organization. Therefore, it is important that you identify all potential risks and challenges and include the best practices to avoid similar conflicts in your organization after it has been acquired.
You have decided to research a business case that may help you learn from the experiences of another organization.
The focus of your analysis should be on change management and the associated best practices that impacted the transformation of the organization in the case.
### Prompt
Review the case study
[Bumpy Road Ahead: The Automotive Interiors Merger That Wasn’t](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fcases%2Fbumpy-road-ahead-the-automotive-interiors-merger-that-wasnt). Next, consider the following steps to complete your analysis of the automotive case and apply your findings from the case analysis to your work in the life sciences organization in the course scenario.
Specifically, you must address the following criteria:
Case Study Review
1. Provide a brief overview of the two organizations in the case study that addresses the following:
1. Identify common characteristics of each organization.
2. Explain how the products and services of the two organizations differ.
– Describe the key issues that affected the merger plan and its implementation.
1. What were the key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations? Support your response with information from the case.
– Evaluate the postmerger integration and change management strategies used in the case. Your response should address the following:
1. How did the key decision makers respond to the challenges with the postmerger integration?
2. What led to the challenges faced by the organization after the merger?
3. Could these challenges have been prevented using different change management strategies? Explain.
Recommendations
1. Based on your findings from the case study, describe specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition risks and challenges for the life sciences organization in the course scenario. Support your response.
2. Recommend change management best practices the life sciences organization can use for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner and avoid the risks and challenges you’ve identified above.
### What to Submit
Submit a 4- to 5-page Word document using double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited according to APA style. Consult the
[Shapiro Library APA Style Guide](https://snhu.ink/ShapiroAPAGuide) for more information on citations.
### Module Seven Case Analysis Rubric
| Criteria | Exemplary (100%) | Proficient (90%) | Needs Improvement (70%) | Not Evident (0%) | Value |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Case Study Review: Overview | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Provides a brief overview of the two organizations in the case; identifies common characteristics of the two organizations; explains how the products and services of the two organizations differ | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include explaining the similarities and differences in the two organizations | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Key Issues | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Describes key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include describing at least one key issue supported by facts from the case | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Postmerger Integration | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Evaluates the postmerger integration and change management strategies; supports evaluation with facts from the case and addresses how the key decision makers responded to the challenges with the postmerger integration, the possible cause of challenges, and if these challenges could have been prevented using different change management strategies | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include using relevant facts from the case to support the evaluation, such as an example of how the key decision makers responded to the challenges, what caused the challenges, or what could have been done to prevent these challenges | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Recommendations: Post-acquisition Risks and Challenges | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Identifies specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition challenges in the organization from the course scenario; provides examples of possible risks and challenges the organization in the scenario may face | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include providing specific and relevant examples of possible risks and challenges that the organization in the scenario may face post-acquisition | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Recommendations: Change Management Best Practices | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Recommends change management best practices that the organization in the scenario can implement for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include identifying at least two change management best practices relevant to the organization in the course scenario for managing post-acquisition integration | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Articulation of Response | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Clearly conveys meaning with correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, negatively impacting readability | Submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas | 5 |
| Citations and Attributions | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with few or no minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with consistent minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with major errors | Does not use citations for ideas requiring attribution | 5 |
| Total: | 100% |
**## Module_Seven_Introduction.html.zip**
## Module_Seven_Introduction.html
## Module Seven
### Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will meet these learning objectives:
– Identify risks, challenges, and best practices related to postmerger and post-acquisition states
– Create a business case report to assess the future state of business functioning
### Module Overview
Preparing for the future is an important need that organizations must fulfill at all times, but especially during times of change. One method that helps with such preparation is the business case method. Using this method, organizations can challenge their critical thinking and explore alternative approaches to problem solving. Using the business case method requires the organization to simulate the outcome of various alternative situations and choose the best option available from the list.
Another method to minimize the risks and challenges related to change management is to analyze similar scenarios from other organizations. This is known as a case analysis method. This method helps in identifying the risks, challenges, and best practices based on the outcomes of other organizations.
Both these methods help you evaluate various business needs and their significance. These methods can also help you determine critical strategic requirements and ensure that recommended solutions meet the overall business needs. Additionally, these methods allow organizations to evaluate the impact that unexpected changes may have on key business decisions.
In short, by using the business case method and the case analysis method, you can test the robustness of business decisions and secure the future of the organization.
As a member of the strategic planning team of a life sciences organization in the Midwest, you have been helping the organization plan its exit strategy. So far, you have evaluated potential buyers and assessed potential risks related to the proposed sale.
In this module, you will determine possible effective change management strategies related to the post-acquisition phase for the organization in the course scenario. To do this, you will analyze a case study to identify various risks, challenges, and best practices related to how the organizations in the case study handled their change management strategy.
### Module at a Glance
This is the recommended plan for completing the reading assignments and activities within the module. Additional information can be found in the module Resources section and on the module table of contents page.
1. Review the module resources.
2. Submit your case analysis report.
**## ModuleSeven_Resources_Change_Management_Best_Practices.html.zip**
## Module Seven_Resources_Change_Management_Best_Practices.html
## Introduction
In this resource section, you will explore business scenarios and case analyses. You will also learn about different aspects of strategic design and its components, processes, and principles. Finally, you will learn about factors that affect postmerger integration and reorganization.
| | |
| — | — |
|  | Required Resources |
Reading: Global Mergers and Acquisitions: Combining Companies Across Borders,
[Chapter 13](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa.cloud.igpublish.com%2Figlibrary%2Fviewerplus%2Fbook%2FBEPB0000717%2F154%2F40288b8c2f8a9868012f8ac6bfa7000a%2Fff8080816294a6cf0162a9294c9e002e%2F40288b8c2f8a9868012f8ac6bfa7000a%2Fdetail)
This chapter in the Shapiro Library resource explores various aspects of postmerger integration and reorganization. In this chapter, you will learn about the degree of integration, task characteristics, procedural integration, and physical integration. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What is procedural integration?
– What is physical integration?
– What are the approaches to integration?
Reading:
[Issues and Analysis of Leadership, Strategy, Behavior, and Accounting of Mergers and Acquisitions: A Case Study of a Merger of Two Mega-corporations](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&custid=shapiro&authtype=athens,ip&db=bsu&AN=138949188&site=eds-live&scope=site)
To access this Shapiro Library resource, select the PDF Full Text option. This article from Shapiro Library discusses strategic issues of mergers and acquisitions based on a case study of a recent merger of two large U.S. corporations. The authors discuss issues related to leadership, strategy, organizational science, accounting, marketing, and others. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What role do various leaders and teams play in managing changes specific to mergers and acquisitions?
– What are some key potential challenges related to mergers and acquisitions?
– What are the best practices to ensure a smooth transition post a merger or acquisition?
Reading:
[Mergers and Acquisitions: Best Practices for Successful Integration](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&custid=shapiro&authtype=athens,ip&db=bsu&AN=36272037&site=eds-live&scope=site)
This Shapiro Library resource explores various best practices related to successful integration after mergers and acquisitions. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What are the key integration levers and components?
– What are steps of the integration process?
– What are the best practices for successful integration?
| | |
| — | — |
|  | Additional Support (Optional) |
Textbook: Strategic Opportunity Management (Tighe),
[Chapter 2](https://www.sweetstudy.com/d2l/common/dialogs/quickLink/quickLink.d2l?ou=1958908&type=lti&rcode=snhu-1999593&srcou=827343)
This chapter introduces business scenarios, their history, their value in making strategic decisions, and some drawbacks of using them.
Textbook: Strategic Opportunity Management (Tighe),
[Chapter 10](https://www.sweetstudy.com/d2l/common/dialogs/quickLink/quickLink.d2l?ou=1958908&type=lti&rcode=snhu-1999595&srcou=827343)
Revisit this chapter to review essential aspects of strategic design including its components, processes, and principles. This chapter also discusses future proofing the strategic design.
Video:
[Leading Change and Continuity](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fleading-change-and-continuity) (32:16)
In this video from SAGE Video, Jonathan Gosling, PhD, discusses models, processes, and best practices for leading change in an organization by using analogies ranging from movies and soap operas to Shakespearean theater.
**## ModuleSevenCaseAnalysisGuidelinesandRubric.html.zip**
## Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric.html
## MBA 699 Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric
### Overview
An important aspect of a change management strategy is to consider how different alternatives may impact future outcomes. Organizations often use the business case method to explore strategic alternatives as it helps simulate a real situation. Such simulations help with identifying business issues and provide critical information that organizations can then use to arrive at their own conclusions.
The VP of business development has asked you to analyze other organizations that have gone through the exit process. Doing so will help you identify common risks, challenges, and best practices related to mergers and acquisitions and apply this knowledge to guide the change management strategy of the life sciences organization. For example, if two merging organizations have extremely different communication styles or organizational cultures, it may often lead to conflict between the management and the employees. The same is true when one organization is acquiring another organization. Therefore, it is important that you identify all potential risks and challenges and include the best practices to avoid similar conflicts in your organization after it has been acquired.
You have decided to research a business case that may help you learn from the experiences of another organization.
The focus of your analysis should be on change management and the associated best practices that impacted the transformation of the organization in the case.
### Prompt
Review the case study
[Bumpy Road Ahead: The Automotive Interiors Merger That Wasn’t](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fcases%2Fbumpy-road-ahead-the-automotive-interiors-merger-that-wasnt). Next, consider the following steps to complete your analysis of the automotive case and apply your findings from the case analysis to your work in the life sciences organization in the course scenario.
Specifically, you must address the following criteria:
Case Study Review
1. Provide a brief overview of the two organizations in the case study that addresses the following:
1. Identify common characteristics of each organization.
2. Explain how the products and services of the two organizations differ.
– Describe the key issues that affected the merger plan and its implementation.
1. What were the key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations? Support your response with information from the case.
– Evaluate the postmerger integration and change management strategies used in the case. Your response should address the following:
1. How did the key decision makers respond to the challenges with the postmerger integration?
2. What led to the challenges faced by the organization after the merger?
3. Could these challenges have been prevented using different change management strategies? Explain.
Recommendations
1. Based on your findings from the case study, describe specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition risks and challenges for the life sciences organization in the course scenario. Support your response.
2. Recommend change management best practices the life sciences organization can use for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner and avoid the risks and challenges you’ve identified above.
### What to Submit
Submit a 4- to 5-page Word document using double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited according to APA style. Consult the
[Shapiro Library APA Style Guide](https://snhu.ink/ShapiroAPAGuide) for more information on citations.
### Module Seven Case Analysis Rubric
| Criteria | Exemplary (100%) | Proficient (90%) | Needs Improvement (70%) | Not Evident (0%) | Value |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Case Study Review: Overview | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Provides a brief overview of the two organizations in the case; identifies common characteristics of the two organizations; explains how the products and services of the two organizations differ | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include explaining the similarities and differences in the two organizations | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Key Issues | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Describes key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include describing at least one key issue supported by facts from the case | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Postmerger Integration | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Evaluates the postmerger integration and change management strategies; supports evaluation with facts from the case and addresses how the key decision makers responded to the challenges with the postmerger integration, the possible cause of challenges, and if these challenges could have been prevented using different change management strategies | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include using relevant facts from the case to support the evaluation, such as an example of how the key decision makers responded to the challenges, what caused the challenges, or what could have been done to prevent these challenges | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Recommendations: Post-acquisition Risks and Challenges | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Identifies specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition challenges in the organization from the course scenario; provides examples of possible risks and challenges the organization in the scenario may face | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include providing specific and relevant examples of possible risks and challenges that the organization in the scenario may face post-acquisition | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Recommendations: Change Management Best Practices | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Recommends change management best practices that the organization in the scenario can implement for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include identifying at least two change management best practices relevant to the organization in the course scenario for managing post-acquisition integration | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Articulation of Response | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Clearly conveys meaning with correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, negatively impacting readability | Submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas | 5 |
| Citations and Attributions | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with few or no minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with consistent minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with major errors | Does not use citations for ideas requiring attribution | 5 |
| Total: | 100% |
**## Module_Seven_Introduction.html.zip**
## Module_Seven_Introduction.html
## Module Seven
### Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will meet these learning objectives:
– Identify risks, challenges, and best practices related to postmerger and post-acquisition states
– Create a business case report to assess the future state of business functioning
### Module Overview
Preparing for the future is an important need that organizations must fulfill at all times, but especially during times of change. One method that helps with such preparation is the business case method. Using this method, organizations can challenge their critical thinking and explore alternative approaches to problem solving. Using the business case method requires the organization to simulate the outcome of various alternative situations and choose the best option available from the list.
Another method to minimize the risks and challenges related to change management is to analyze similar scenarios from other organizations. This is known as a case analysis method. This method helps in identifying the risks, challenges, and best practices based on the outcomes of other organizations.
Both these methods help you evaluate various business needs and their significance. These methods can also help you determine critical strategic requirements and ensure that recommended solutions meet the overall business needs. Additionally, these methods allow organizations to evaluate the impact that unexpected changes may have on key business decisions.
In short, by using the business case method and the case analysis method, you can test the robustness of business decisions and secure the future of the organization.
As a member of the strategic planning team of a life sciences organization in the Midwest, you have been helping the organization plan its exit strategy. So far, you have evaluated potential buyers and assessed potential risks related to the proposed sale.
In this module, you will determine possible effective change management strategies related to the post-acquisition phase for the organization in the course scenario. To do this, you will analyze a case study to identify various risks, challenges, and best practices related to how the organizations in the case study handled their change management strategy.
### Module at a Glance
This is the recommended plan for completing the reading assignments and activities within the module. Additional information can be found in the module Resources section and on the module table of contents page.
1. Review the module resources.
2. Submit your case analysis report.
**## ModuleSeven_Resources_Change_Management_Best_Practices.html.zip**
## Module Seven_Resources_Change_Management_Best_Practices.html
## Introduction
In this resource section, you will explore business scenarios and case analyses. You will also learn about different aspects of strategic design and its components, processes, and principles. Finally, you will learn about factors that affect postmerger integration and reorganization.
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|  | Required Resources |
Reading: Global Mergers and Acquisitions: Combining Companies Across Borders,
[Chapter 13](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa.cloud.igpublish.com%2Figlibrary%2Fviewerplus%2Fbook%2FBEPB0000717%2F154%2F40288b8c2f8a9868012f8ac6bfa7000a%2Fff8080816294a6cf0162a9294c9e002e%2F40288b8c2f8a9868012f8ac6bfa7000a%2Fdetail)
This chapter in the Shapiro Library resource explores various aspects of postmerger integration and reorganization. In this chapter, you will learn about the degree of integration, task characteristics, procedural integration, and physical integration. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What is procedural integration?
– What is physical integration?
– What are the approaches to integration?
Reading:
[Issues and Analysis of Leadership, Strategy, Behavior, and Accounting of Mergers and Acquisitions: A Case Study of a Merger of Two Mega-corporations](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&custid=shapiro&authtype=athens,ip&db=bsu&AN=138949188&site=eds-live&scope=site)
To access this Shapiro Library resource, select the PDF Full Text option. This article from Shapiro Library discusses strategic issues of mergers and acquisitions based on a case study of a recent merger of two large U.S. corporations. The authors discuss issues related to leadership, strategy, organizational science, accounting, marketing, and others. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What role do various leaders and teams play in managing changes specific to mergers and acquisitions?
– What are some key potential challenges related to mergers and acquisitions?
– What are the best practices to ensure a smooth transition post a merger or acquisition?
Reading:
[Mergers and Acquisitions: Best Practices for Successful Integration](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&custid=shapiro&authtype=athens,ip&db=bsu&AN=36272037&site=eds-live&scope=site)
This Shapiro Library resource explores various best practices related to successful integration after mergers and acquisitions. As you read, consider the following questions:
– What are the key integration levers and components?
– What are steps of the integration process?
– What are the best practices for successful integration?
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|  | Additional Support (Optional) |
Textbook: Strategic Opportunity Management (Tighe),
[Chapter 2](https://www.sweetstudy.com/d2l/common/dialogs/quickLink/quickLink.d2l?ou=1958908&type=lti&rcode=snhu-1999593&srcou=827343)
This chapter introduces business scenarios, their history, their value in making strategic decisions, and some drawbacks of using them.
Textbook: Strategic Opportunity Management (Tighe),
[Chapter 10](https://www.sweetstudy.com/d2l/common/dialogs/quickLink/quickLink.d2l?ou=1958908&type=lti&rcode=snhu-1999595&srcou=827343)
Revisit this chapter to review essential aspects of strategic design including its components, processes, and principles. This chapter also discusses future proofing the strategic design.
Video:
[Leading Change and Continuity](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fvideo%2Fleading-change-and-continuity) (32:16)
In this video from SAGE Video, Jonathan Gosling, PhD, discusses models, processes, and best practices for leading change in an organization by using analogies ranging from movies and soap operas to Shakespearean theater.
**## ModuleSevenCaseAnalysisGuidelinesandRubric.html.zip**
## Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric.html
## MBA 699 Module Seven Case Analysis Guidelines and Rubric
### Overview
An important aspect of a change management strategy is to consider how different alternatives may impact future outcomes. Organizations often use the business case method to explore strategic alternatives as it helps simulate a real situation. Such simulations help with identifying business issues and provide critical information that organizations can then use to arrive at their own conclusions.
The VP of business development has asked you to analyze other organizations that have gone through the exit process. Doing so will help you identify common risks, challenges, and best practices related to mergers and acquisitions and apply this knowledge to guide the change management strategy of the life sciences organization. For example, if two merging organizations have extremely different communication styles or organizational cultures, it may often lead to conflict between the management and the employees. The same is true when one organization is acquiring another organization. Therefore, it is important that you identify all potential risks and challenges and include the best practices to avoid similar conflicts in your organization after it has been acquired.
You have decided to research a business case that may help you learn from the experiences of another organization.
The focus of your analysis should be on change management and the associated best practices that impacted the transformation of the organization in the case.
### Prompt
Review the case study
[Bumpy Road Ahead: The Automotive Interiors Merger That Wasn’t](https://go.openathens.net/redirector/snhu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsk.sagepub.com%2Fcases%2Fbumpy-road-ahead-the-automotive-interiors-merger-that-wasnt). Next, consider the following steps to complete your analysis of the automotive case and apply your findings from the case analysis to your work in the life sciences organization in the course scenario.
Specifically, you must address the following criteria:
Case Study Review
1. Provide a brief overview of the two organizations in the case study that addresses the following:
1. Identify common characteristics of each organization.
2. Explain how the products and services of the two organizations differ.
– Describe the key issues that affected the merger plan and its implementation.
1. What were the key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations? Support your response with information from the case.
– Evaluate the postmerger integration and change management strategies used in the case. Your response should address the following:
1. How did the key decision makers respond to the challenges with the postmerger integration?
2. What led to the challenges faced by the organization after the merger?
3. Could these challenges have been prevented using different change management strategies? Explain.
Recommendations
1. Based on your findings from the case study, describe specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition risks and challenges for the life sciences organization in the course scenario. Support your response.
2. Recommend change management best practices the life sciences organization can use for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner and avoid the risks and challenges you’ve identified above.
### What to Submit
Submit a 4- to 5-page Word document using double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited according to APA style. Consult the
[Shapiro Library APA Style Guide](https://snhu.ink/ShapiroAPAGuide) for more information on citations.
### Module Seven Case Analysis Rubric
| Criteria | Exemplary (100%) | Proficient (90%) | Needs Improvement (70%) | Not Evident (0%) | Value |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Case Study Review: Overview | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Provides a brief overview of the two organizations in the case; identifies common characteristics of the two organizations; explains how the products and services of the two organizations differ | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include explaining the similarities and differences in the two organizations | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Key Issues | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Describes key issues related to organizational cultures and structural integration that created problems after the merger of the two organizations | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include describing at least one key issue supported by facts from the case | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Case Study Review: Postmerger Integration | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Evaluates the postmerger integration and change management strategies; supports evaluation with facts from the case and addresses how the key decision makers responded to the challenges with the postmerger integration, the possible cause of challenges, and if these challenges could have been prevented using different change management strategies | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include using relevant facts from the case to support the evaluation, such as an example of how the key decision makers responded to the challenges, what caused the challenges, or what could have been done to prevent these challenges | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
| Recommendations: Post-acquisition Risks and Challenges | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Identifies specific areas that may lead to post-acquisition challenges in the organization from the course scenario; provides examples of possible risks and challenges the organization in the scenario may face | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include providing specific and relevant examples of possible risks and challenges that the organization in the scenario may face post-acquisition | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Recommendations: Change Management Best Practices | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Recommends change management best practices that the organization in the scenario can implement for managing post-acquisition integration in a planned manner | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include identifying at least two change management best practices relevant to the organization in the course scenario for managing post-acquisition integration | Does not attempt criterion | 15 |
| Articulation of Response | Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner | Clearly conveys meaning with correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, negatively impacting readability | Submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas | 5 |
| Citations and Attributions | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with few or no minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with consistent minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with major errors | Does not use citations for ideas requiring attribution | 5 |
| Total: | 100% |
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