Post-Merger Integration and the Management of Information and Communication Systems : An analytical framework and its application in tourism

In the context of post-merger integration there is a tendency to perceive information and communication systems (ICS) as "technical components" or even as "departments" that need to be integrated. The discussion revolves mainly around technical issues and the restructuring of the IT-function(s). Alexis Papathanassis postulates that ICS ought to be treated as a complex and demanding management process and that it should be acknowledged as a key enabler of merger value realization. As such, it requires a holistic consideration and a systemic understanding. He presents the "Post-merger information and communication systems framework" (POMICS), a conceptual tool supporting the analysis effort required to achieve a sufficient depth of understanding. Its application on a real-life post-merger integration situation in a tourism company serves as a validation and as an illustration of the framework's potential value. It also gives valuable insights into some of the key questions facing the entire tourism sector today