Merger of Higher Education Institutions and Educational Competitiveness: Interrelationship Issues

Abstract

In the context of Russian higher education modernization, merger of universities is viewed as one of the tools to increase their competitiveness. At the same time, the impact of the unification of universities on the competitiveness of their educational activities has not been subjected to special research. In this regard, the purpose of this publication is to substantiate scientifically the key aspects of the relationship between the merger of universities and the competitiveness of their educational activities in order to develop practical recommendations for managing the process of university merger.As an empirical base of the research, the published data on 53 leading universities in Russia were used, most of them have experienced merger processes (federal universities, Universities of Project 5-100, national research universities, “first wave” pillar universities). As a methodical basis for the study, we used generalization, comparison, abstraction, prediction; methods of empirical research: interviewing focus groups, content analysis of universities’ Web sites, expert evaluation, case-method.The paper considers the theoretical and methodological grounds of university competitiveness in the conditions of higher education modernization, measurement indicators and factors influencing the competitiveness of university’s educational activity. The analysis of the results of university merger is carried out, the specifics of this processes as an instrument for the development of higher education in Russia is highlighted. A methodology has been developed and implemented to justify the interconnection of universities and the competitiveness of their educational activities. The key aspects of the interconnection of university associations and the competitiveness of their educational activities have been determined, taking into account the positive and negative effects resulting from the merger. The author gives practical recommendations on managing the process of university merger with the purpose to increase the level of competitiveness of their educational activities.The results of the conducted research show the direct relationship between the process of universities’ merger and the preservation of their competitiveness in the development of educational activities. The author stresses the predominantly positive impact of merger processes on the educational potential of an enlarged university.