A Spanish Acquisition in Eastern Germany: Culture Shock Available to Purchase

Describes the Spanish acquisition of a construction company in East Berlin from the Treuhandanstalt (the East German privatization agency)as well as the contentious renegotiation of the sales contract. Also describes the relationship between the Spanish senior management of the enterprise and the East German workers after the acquisition. The interaction between members of a Western “capitalist management culture” and the Eastern “social management culture” is shown. Should be of interest to those managers and consultants who have made or plan to be involved in acquisitions in Eastern European countries.