Examining the influence of managerial ownership on M&A transactions by acquirers from the emerging markets

Emerging market firms have served mainly as targets rather than acquirers in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) transactions. However, this trend appears to be changing because some firms from the emerging markets are becoming more active in M&A deals as acquirers. Several factors except managerial ownership are highlighted in the literature as the driving forces of M&As by acquirers from the emerging markets. Therefore, this study investigates whether managerial ownership motivates these acquirers to undertake acquisitions, and influences them to pursue smaller-sized targets in their deals. Using the probit regression methodology and data of 160 listed acquirers from ten emerging markets sourced from the Bloomberg terminal from 2004 to 2013, the study reveals that managerial ownership of acquirers from the emerging markets does not influence them to undertake M&As and also become interested in smaller targets. However, the acquirers’ debt levels are more likely to influence their M&A execution decisions.