reprint policy
	The Difference Between Synergy and Disaster by Didi Hirokawa and Natasha Gunn Article Abstract For reprints, please e-mail imqeditor@american.edu
A non-international merger can already be complex enough with each company having its distinct business culture. When the merger becomes international, the complexity and the stakes increase. Not only do the merger partners have to reconcile different business cultures but they also have to contend with far-flung locations, different languages, customs and laws. The authors report on how to prevent a potentially lucrative merger from becoming a social and economic quagmire.