When two companies merge or one acquires another, completing the deal is just the first phase. Ensuring the deal doesn’t fail is a whole other matter, especially as it involves the successful integration of cultures.

Rarely do cultural considerations play a role in the dealmaking process itself, often overshadowed by financial and legal ramifications. Yet, culture often plays a critical role in whether a merger or acquisition ultimately succeeds or fails.

Jaclyn Jaeger is a freelance contributor to Compliance Week after working for the company for 15 years. She writes on a wide variety of topics, including ethics and compliance, risk management, legal,...