Title: Governance and mergers in higher education with public accounting's use: a survey of recent evidence and future paths

Authors: Nikolaos Giovanis; Aikaterini Chasiotou

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, International Hellenic University, Terma Magnesias, 62100, Serres, Greece ' Department of Business Administration, International Hellenic University, Terma Magnesias, 62100, Serres, Greece

Abstract: This study analyses the structural elements of mergers and their connection to new governance principles in higher education institutions in relation to public accounting. The use of public accounting is crucial for proper functioning of state universities, but also critical for making important decisions, such as a decision to merge. More specifically, this study explores mergers in higher education worldwide, their types, causes and trends, financial and operational benefits, challenges and risks. The present study provides evidence that public accounting must be used throughout a merger process because public universities must maintain their viability and the presence of a level of profitability that enables them to carry on with their operations without experiencing difficulties due to financial considerations. This study tries to close theoretically the knowledge gap in the university mergers with the use of public accounting and offers a framework for further research on a fruitful area.

Keywords: HEI governance; merger; higher education institution; HEI; public accounting; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCA.2025.146432

International Journal of Critical Accounting, 2025 Vol.14 No.3, pp.266 - 289

Received: 09 Nov 2024
Accepted: 03 Mar 2025
Published online: 29 May 2025 *

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