Human Resources Integration Methods Used in Big Organizational Change Projects

This paper analyses the scientific basis for an appropriate selection of human resources integration methods by considering the socio-psychological aspects (“soft factors”). The focus of this paper is the presentation and analysis of methods used for human resources integration (such as the introductory text, check-list, storytelling, and action learning), which support properly the individual employee integration (after being transferred and integrated in a new organizational context due to a merger and acquisition process). The case study used demonstrates a feasible way to establish the most adequate human resources integration method. This is achieved by analysing adequate benefits when applying the human resources integration methods in organizational practice. It is shown that psychologically oriented integration methods have the most benefits and the adequate design of the human resources integrated methods have to be aligned with the characteristics of the M&A project.