acquisition

1. Taking custody of records.

2. Taking possession of an asset by purchase.

3. Taking control of a firm by purchasing 51 percent (or more) of its voting shares.

The Institutional Imperative:
(1) As if governed by Newton's First Law of Motion, an institution will resist and change in its current direction.
(2) Just as work expands to fill available time, corporate projects or acquisitions will materialize to soak up available funds.
(3) Any business craving of the leader, however foolish, will be quickly supported by detailed rate-of-return and strategic studies prepared by his troops.
(4) The behavior of peer companies, whether they are expanding, acquiring, setting executive compensation or whatever, will be mindlessly imitated.

• A Caution on Large Acquisitions
• A Perspective on Wars and Wealth