With the leading generic players taking more fragmented approaches in terms of strategic direction, mergers of equals are unlikely and smaller targets will remain in vogue.

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Then came a barrage of layoffs, mergers and strategic zigzags that sent entire corporate divisions to the scrap heap.

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Executives all make big decisions, about hiring, company valuations, product launches, investments, strategic direction, building new facilities, mergers, acquisitions, changing technology, new approaches to doing business, and more.

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It has also trodden gingerly when it comes to grand strategic moves, avoiding the headline-grabbing mergers embraced by so many of its rivals.

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Such mergers are the fourth and most recent strategic response to the pressure to become pan-European.

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The critical point is to leverage mergers and acquisitions as tools to accelerate strategic shifts, not as answers on their own.

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But our results suggest that HR plays a less prominent role when it comes to the development of strategy, the consideration of strategic options and other strategy areas, including acquisitions and mergers.

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Most recent drug mergers have been driven by corporate desperation, not strategic vision.

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As head of strategy and corporate development, he is in charge of mergers and acquisitions, venture capital relationships and global strategic alliances.

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