Neither better nor worse. Culture merely poses challenges to the merger, either easier or more complex depending on how similar or different the cultures are. Similar cultures are easier to integrate than highly different cultures. The latter will require far more change management skills to overcome resistance. Whether better or worse, that it a function of the transaction thesis. Can the reasons for the transaction successfully be attained and sustained long-term whether the cultures are similar or different? If the answer is yes in either case, then execute. Otherwise, resolve discrepancies or abandon the merger. If you cannot achieve the outcomes desired and sustain them, money is just being thrown out and people’s lives upheaved for no reason.
