HR has a distinctive vantage point in overseeing—and influencing—dynamics between
the buyer and seller in a situation of cultural pluralism. There usually is at least
some integration around HR practices even when the intention is to keep changes to a
minimum. Seemingly rudimentary tasks like putting acquired employees on the payroll
system or enrolling them in corporate benefits programs provide opportunities for HR
professionals to interact with members of the target firm. In some cases, HR will be able to “pave the way” when administrative or operational directives are handed down from the lead company—both by alerting lead company staff how to best implement the
changes and by preparing acquired staff for what might otherwise be resisted as an intrusion.