Does Microsoft’s LinkedIn Deal Have a Shot at Success?

Though the Tech Giant Has a Lackluster Record in Mergers and Acquisitions, Its Latest Integration Attempt May Be Its Smartest

Even very successful companies can fail with mergers and acquisitions. M&A batting averages above 500 are considered exceptional, and sometimes companies like Google, which has devoted considerable resources toward developing M&A as a core strategic capability, have had major hiccups. So Microsoft’s announcement on June 13 that it would be acquiring LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in cash was viewed with skepticism.

Microsoft’s batting average, especially for larger deals, does not qualify it for a spot on the All-Star M&A team. The company has written off multiple billions of dollars in …