Title: Consolidations in higher education: a business program case study

Authors: Mark S. Hiatt; Sandra Vasa-Sideris; Ronny Richardson; Robin Cheramie; Greg Quinet; Muhammad A. Obeidat

Addresses: Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road #0404, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA ' Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road #0404, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA ' Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road #0404, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA ' Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road #0404, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA ' Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road #0404, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA ' Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road #0404, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA

Abstract: Consolidations and mergers in higher education have increased in frequency over the past decade in response to growing pressures to reduce costs while maintaining a quality-focused student experience. While mandated academic consolidations are typically finalised, the lack of a transfer of knowledge and experience from one merger action to another within a larger state or country university system has resulted in wasted resources, participant stress and unintended effects on the student population. In 2011, the University System of Georgia initiated a consolidation program with a major goal of achieving a lower and more effective cost basis. This case study examines the undergraduate and graduate level business administration program consolidation that occurred between Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University during 2013-2015 as experienced by the authors of the study. The conduct of this program consolidation as well as lessons learned and recommendations for future higher education consolidation efforts, particularly knowledge transfer for both academic researchers as well as higher education administrators, are offered as part of this case study.

Keywords: mergers and acquisitions; M&A; merger and acquisition theory; academic mergers; person-organisation fit; organisational change.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2018.095919

International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 2018 Vol.9 No.4, pp.396 - 413

Received: 06 Apr 2018
Accepted: 06 May 2018
Published online: 26 Oct 2018 *

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