Consolidations in higher education: a business program case study

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.