Does an acquirer’s prior alliance experience with a target influence post-acquisition performance?

Based on the theory of Patrizia Porrini that an acquirer’s previous alliance with a target positively influences post acquisition performance, this study is going to test the generalizability of her findings. In contrast with the results of her research, data from over 1,070 acquisitions show that there is no influence on post-acquisition performance. Furthermore, we are going to study the type of influence different forms of alliance can have on post-acquisition performance. We believe that alliances in R&D and licensing between an acquirer and a target each can influence post acquisition performance to different degrees.