What occurs during a merger?

During a merger, two companies combine into one entity, which is precisely what option B describes. This process typically involves both companies agreeing to unite their resources, operations, and management under a single organizational structure. Mergers can occur for various strategic reasons, such as increasing market share, achieving economies of scale, enhancing competitive advantages, or diversifying product offerings.

In a merger, both organizations may contribute their strengths, technology, and workforce, allowing for greater operational efficiency and innovation compared to what they could achieve alone. It's important to note that a merger is different from a simple acquisition, where one company buys another outright, as it implies a more collaborative or equal partnership in combining the two firms.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of a merger: a company buying another describes an acquisition, splitting into two entities describes a divestiture or spin-off, and forming a partnership indicates a cooperative agreement without the merging of ownership or resources into one unified entity.