“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Managing the process
The success of a merger, from both an academic and an economic angle, depends heavily on the quality of the planning and implementation phases of the merger process (success factors in these phases are described below in Table 4). These two parts of the process may be usefully differentiated by considering “planning” as the preparation undertaken before the decision to merge is taken, and “implementation” as the work that must occur before the merger takes effect. However, there is a great deal of overlap between these parts of the process, as the amount of work that goes into the process before the decision to merge is taken varies to a high extent between institutions. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...

“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - The challenge of evaluation
Evaluating merger processes is a requirement for identifying where efficiencies have been achieved and for capturing success stories that will help to consolidate a positive post-merger narrative. However, as mentioned above, since mergers are transformational processes that are seldom repeated at the same institutions, it is understandable that often these evaluations do not focus on failures or elements that could be improved, because there is no practical way for the concerned institution to benefit from this knowledge. Therefore, a range of evaluation approaches to merger processes, with different objectives, can be found across Europe. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...

“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Assessing costs and gains
A strong academic rationale for merging must be backed up by a solid economic case. Both elements are essential pillars of a successful merger. It is important to enter a merger process with an understanding of the implementation costs involved, as these are often considerable, particularly in the case of large-scale horizontal mergers. The transition phase is for instance a particular aspect to consider in this regard. It is clear that the length of the transition period required for fully implementing and embedding processes following mergers is difficult to apprehend. Many institutions involved in mergers underestimated how long it would take to mainstream procedural change (e.g. HR and finance processes) and establish cultural change. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...

“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Creating value
It bears repeating that enhancing academic excellence should remain the primary objective in any merger or concentration process. Meeting this objective requires significant resources and investment. However, once achieved, improved quality can lead to delivering efficiencies. Consolidating and improving quality on both an institutional and system-wide level is likely to have a positive knock-on effect on funding possibilities by enhancing the profile, perception and reputation of the higher education institutions at different levels. This can improve the institutions’ chances of success in securing competitive funding and strengthening their bargaining position with public authorities. In this sense it is a virtuous circle; enhancing quality through mergers creates more opportunities for greater efficiency. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...

“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Delivering efficiencies?
The question of efficiency in higher education, and in particular in higher education management, is a multi-fold concept that goes beyond financial matters and relates to the way in which universities carry out their core missions. However, efficiencies – in the sense of better use of financial resources – may be derived from a wide set of measures. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, the pooling of infrastructure, streamlining the workforce, process refinement and improvement, and enhanced funding potential. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...

“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Involvement of public authorities
Through its work on university governance9, EUA has previously demonstrated the merits of institutional autonomy. This includes an organisational dimension – in particular, the freedom for a university to set its own structures, processes and strategy. In line with this, universities are best placed to identify their own needs and develop strategies accordingly, including exploring and instigating merger processes if deemed appropriate, rather than having wide-scale reorganisation imposed in a top-down fashion. However, public authorities have a role to play in these processes; the government’s responsibility is to provide a political vision and a structure for the system that will enable it to meet agreed objectives over the long term. The sector and the public authorities need to set up the framework for an in-depth dialogue on such important questions as rationalisation and consolidation of the system. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...

“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Rationale and aims behind merger and concentration processes
There is a wide array of motivating factors for mergers as, by their nature, they affect every field of university activity. The identification of the specific rationales of the various cases is not always easy. The use of different sources has shown that there is rarely a single objective view of the drivers and rationales, depending on the constituency asked.
Indeed, National Rectors’ Conferences involved in the DEFINE study refer to a combination of objectives for merger and concentration processes. Moreover, there may be a certain overlap between motivating factors at system and at institutional level. However, the main points that were reported can be put into four categories as detailed below. It should be noted that the different drivers listed below are the ones that the National Rectors’ Conferences most frequently cited; the order in which the drivers are listed is not meant to reflect their prevalence in any country. In addition, one should bear in mind that merger processes most often respond to their own particular combination of drivers. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...