WHEN RIVALS BECOME PARTNERS: ACCULTURATION IN A NEWLY‐MERGED ORGANIZATION

Mergers, frequent and disruptive business practices, are increasing in the U.S. and abroad. A qualitative inquiry of a newly‐merged travel agency revealed six acculturation themes: identity, reputation, leadership, membership, information, and appearance. These themes suggest an acculturation agenda for the long period of turmoil that follows a merger.