A Study on University Merger Cases

This study aims to analyze the process of university mergers and the factors contributing to institutional stabilization following merger, amid the ongoing crisis in higher education driven by declining student populations, intensified competition, and financial pressures. Grounded in new institutionalism theory, the research conceptualizes university mergers not merely as structural adjustments but as institutionalized processes requiring social legitimacy and procedural appropriateness. Three universities that completed mergers and obtained institutional accreditation were selected as case studies. In-depth interviews with key administrators and middle managers involved in the mergers were conducted to collect qualitative data. The findings reveal that while the decision-making process was largely top-down, stakeholder participation and consensus-building during implementation were critical in securing legitimacy. Post-university merger stability was influenced by improvements in financial structure, organizational reconfiguration, and the rebuilding of internal trust—all of which were found to be essential for the long-term sustainability of merged institutions.