Reimagining the Impact of Large Financial Deals: Toward a Holistic Evaluation of Economic and Societal Consequences

This thesis reimagines the assessment of large financial deals, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), by proposing a holistic evaluation framework that considers economic, societal, and environmental consequences. Traditionally, these deals have been assessed primarily based on financial metrics, overlooking their broader impact on stakeholders and sustainability. Through a mixed-method approach combining literature review and qualitative interviews with professionals, this research develops a theoretical framework integrating multiple dimensions into the analysis of M&A deals. The framework is applied to a case study of the contentious merger between French utility giants Veolia and Suez, highlighting the complexities and trade-offs involved in evaluating deals in the water and waste management sector. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive impact assessments, robust stakeholder engagement, and long-term value creation strategies. The Veolia Suez case reveals the need for effective risk management and the potential for synergies and unintended consequences in large financial deals. Ultimately, this thesis argues that a holistic approach to impact assessment enables informed decision-making, promoting sustainable growth and safeguarding societal and environmental interests. The proposed framework offers a roadmap for enhancing practices and fostering a more responsible approach to financial transactions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Sloan School of Management

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Dupont, Apolline

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Johnson, Simon

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
• Copyright retained by author(s)

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/155981

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/155981