The human aspects of demerger: a new agenda for research?

Suggests that research attention has increasingly focused on the human aspects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), particularly the problem of socio‐cultural integration. Alongside high levels of M & A activity, there has been a growing trend towards the reverse process of demerger and divestment. Like M&As, demerger is a major change process and worthy of research attention. Considers the application of theories and themes developed within the M&A literature to the emerging phenomenon of demerger. Discusses these with reference to the ICI demerger in the early 1990s.