A Business Strategy and Balanced Scorecard Evaluation of Maxxam Analytics-Burnaby, BC

Maxxam’s acquisition of Cantest Ltd. resulted in an acculturation process for employees. Cultural knowledge transfers due to acquisition can lead to mixed feelings on the part of employees as they seek an identity in a newly formed organization. This project explores the feelings of Maxxam employees with respect to how procedures are re-learned, what training opportunities exist, and how acculturation influences personal identities. Secondly, the project explores the fourth dimension of Kaplan and Norton’s Balanced Scorecard: Learning and Growth. Metrics for this dimension are developed into an interview questionnaire and delivered to Maxxam employees to both qualitatively and quantitatively measure innovation potential in the new combined incumbent firm. Feelings about opportunities for learning and growth for employees are recorded. Lastly, recommendations are synthesized from employee interview responses on how Maxxam can best capitalize on synergies of acquisition through the ongoing development of a balanced and intellectual capital scorecard.