Defining the Process of Acquiring Product Software Firms

摘要

Product software companies increasingly seek expansion by means of acquiring software products. For product software firms, the process of an acquisition is complex and challenging because acquisitions require complex processes, business risk, and life-changing decisions. The determinants that influence such acquisition decisions are rarely investigated. Prior research has focused on software acquisitions, but has not focused on software acquisition determinants during an acquisition process. In this study, the product software acquisition process has been defined and the determinants have been identified. Experts evaluated and assessed the acquisition determinants and the acquisition process, in order to find a critical determinant for each respective phase. Finally, a model is presented in which the most critical determinants are presented in the different phases of the acquisition process. The results provide an exploratory set of guidelines that help managers at product software companies through the complex processes of acquisitions in the product software industry.