In transformational combinations, rather than value premerger strengths, it is useful
for HR interventions to help people find fault with their “old” cultures. Research has shown that self-criticism is an important element in attitude change (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). As the task here is to invent new ways of doing things, self-criticism aims at freeing up people from prior attachments and bringing to light sacred cows. In the transformational merger that created Aviat Networks from former competitors Harris Microwave Communications and Stratex Networks, workgroups from the two sides uploaded videos on YouTube of people destroying their premerger work badges and removing traces
of the previous company names from work locations. In another case, a “Trash Bin Project” was established for employees to submitthey did not want to carry over to the combined organization examples of work processes and policies that they did not want to carry over to the combined organization