The B case covers the merger with Linné and international expansion. The case discusses the post-merger integration, international expansion and provides a snapshot of the company at the end of 1999. Participants share their view of the deal and Cell’s approach to international acquisitions. At this point in the story, the CEO, Marcus Bäcklund, suggests a second, larger merger with Mandator, a company similar to Linné (traditional IT consulting). Participants need to ask themselves whether a second merger with another Scandinavian IT consulting company is the best alternative for Cell. They also need to consider how this new deal might be structured, and in particular, who should be the CEO of the merged company.
