Melissa E. Graebner

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | UIUC

Many studies of interorganizational relationships assume that trust between organizations is symmetric. In this essay, we explore the origins of this assumption and examine relevant quantitative and qualitative evidence from the literatures on strategy, marketing, supply chain management, and information systems. We conclude that no systematic evid...

Many studies of interorganizational relationships assume that trust between organizations is symmetric. In this essay, we explore the origins of this assumption and examine relevant quantitative and qualitative evidence from the literatures on strategy, marketing, supply chain management and information systems. We conclude that no systematic evide...

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) continue to be prevalent despite frequently yielding disappointing outcomes. Postmerger integration plays a critical role in M&A success, yet many questions about M&A implementation remain unanswered. In this article, we review research on postmerger integration, which we organize around strategic integration , socio...

We discuss the emerging use of conversation data in strategy research. We define strategic conversations as any naturally occurring, as opposed to scripted or interview-based, interactions (including talk and non-verbal cues) among executives, managers and various stakeholders, the content of which is of strategic importance. The unique window that...

This inductive theory-building study examines how early-stage start-ups develop strategy when uncertainty exists about all relevant aspects of the new venture. We build on and extend Weick’s (1993) ideas about the cognitive and social factors that facilitate the dynamic reconstruction of meanings and structures under conditions of extreme uncertain...

Separate logics inform the perceptions and behaviors of entrepreneurial ventures and family businesses. These logics are distinct and often in conflict. Prior work, however, has devoted limited attention to understanding family technology ventures (FTVs) – technology ventures combining both “familial” and “entrepreneurial” logics. Moreover, it is n...

The origins of strategy have received limited research attention to date Gavetti and Rivkin (2007). Using an inductive theory-building case study, our study examines the process of strategy making in nascent firms. Specifically, we seek to understand how entrepreneurs converge on a set of choices among a vast set of possibilities. The abundance of...

Despite progress made by prior research in understanding how information is used in strategic decision making, most studies are grounded on a similar, unstated assumption: information is homogeneous. We examine the influence of an important source of information heterogeneity: strategic information can be structured in narrative or non-narrative fo...

As researchers who often work with qualitative data, we are frequently asked to review qualitative papers and to speak about how to conduct qualitative research. Through these experiences, we have come to believe that there are prevalent misconceptions about the range of roles that qualitative data can play in research on strategic organization. Mo...

Technology acquisitions can benefit firms by providing valuable resources, increasing market power, and initiating strategic renewal. Yet despite these opportunities, technology acquisitions often present a significant challenge for both buyers and sellers. In this article, we review the research on technology acquisitions and outline what is known...

Our theory and findings suggest that relatively negative stock analyst appraisals prompt corporate leaders to increase externally visible dimensions of board independence without actually increasing board control of management. We also consider how relatively negative analyst appraisals may prompt impression management in CEO communications with an...

I explore the role of trust in acquisitions of entrepreneurial firms, taking a dyadic view that gives equal attention to buyers and sellers. The two parties have asymmetric views regarding whether their counterparts are trustworthy. I outline how these asymmetries emerge, persist, and influence behavior, including tendencies to behave deceptively a...

This article contributes to the literature on board effectiveness by being perhaps the first to systematically examine how the nature of outside directors' prior experience, and resulting expertise, will influence the performance of a focal firm's strategic initiatives. Our theoretical model is grounded in the psychological literature on expertise...

In contrast to the prior acquisitions literature, which has emphasized the buyer's perspective, we examine the seller's perspective. This has important implications for understanding both the acquisition process and, more broadly, corporate governance in successful firms. Using a multiple-case, inductive study of 12 technology-based ventures, we fi...

Merger and acquisition activity is a critical means by which technology firms obtain the resources needed to compete in global markets. Effective implementation is essential to making these acquisitions successful, yet prior research on the implementation process has yielded paradoxical findings. I argue that a closer examination of the role of the...

This article discusses how acquired leaders create value in the integration of technology firms. Many acquisitions fail to achieve their desired ends because of ineffective post-deal implementation. Implementation may be especially difficult in technology acquisitions, which are often motivated by the desire to obtain and transfer tacit and sociall...