The effects of different types of experience on cross-border acquisitions

Building on organizational learning theory, we examine the antecedents of firm acquisition behavior, in terms of cross-border versus domestic acquisitions. Our focus is upon experience as a predictor of future acquisition behavior. In particular, we unbundle experience into: crossborder acquisition experience, domestic acquisition experience, and international business experience. Using data on 594 acquisitions in the period 2007-2013, our results show that prior experience in cross-border acquisitions and international business experience strongly affect the likelihood of cross-border acquisitions. The findings also reveal the existence of a U-shaped relationship between acquisition experience in the domestic market and subsequent crossborder acquisitions. Our study demonstrates that different types of experience play important roles in a firm’s decision to expand internationally via acquisitions.