Mergers and acquisitions: the latest university fashion?

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe and explain a contemporary phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an analysis of research reports and fiction texts.

Findings

Universities use mergers and acquisitions to improve their ranking positions, ignoring the effects on research and teaching.

Research limitations/implications

More attention should be paid to current managerial fashions.

Practical implications

An opposition to thoughtless fashion following may lead to positive changes.

Social implications

If you mean “societal implications”, the state of universities is very important to democratic societies.

Originality/value

These are not for the author to judge.

Citation

Czarniawska, B. (2020), "Mergers and acquisitions: the latest university fashion?", Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 18-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRAM-01-2019-0003