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Bringing the Human Factor to the Forefront of M&A

 

06 February 2026

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On January 22, the Hungarian Business Association in Romania (RMÜE) held a conference in Bucharest titled “The World and Romania’s Economy: Analysis, Evaluation and Forecast.” Tamás Bernáth represented Corvinus–SEED at the event and took part in a panel discussion focusing on cultural integration in mergers and acquisitions. The event focused on global and Romanian economic outlooks and brought together regional leaders to share perspectives on current and future business challenges.

CULTURE AS A CRITICAL FACTOR IN M&A SUCCESS

Tamás took part in a panel exploring the cultural dynamics within mergers and acquisitions. As he pointed out, “M&A is mostly A”, meaning that genuine mergers are rare—more often, one company clearly acquires the other. This dynamic has a significant impact on how people within the acquired organization experience the transition.

The panelists agreed that from an employee perspective, uncertainty can often be more damaging than a clearly negative outcome. When the post-merger process is swift—for instance, when the future top management team is announced early—individuals are more likely to make informed decisions about their future, rather than becoming disengaged or uncertain about their role.

SEED remains committed to shaping executive dialogue across the region—contributing not only through its programs, but also through thought leadership that reflects the realities leaders face today.