Cooperation and Merger: Forecasting the Results of the Amalgamation of Selected Higher Education Institutions in the Context of a Change in their Effectiveness Rating

Purpose: This article is aimed at presenting forecast results of the consolidation of selected higher education institutions in terms of evaluating their effectiveness. Design/Methodology/Approach: An analysis of forecast and simulation results in terms of a change in the effectiveness rating for selected higher vocational state schools was carried out in the three following variants. Variant 1: three higher education institutions with the highest effectiveness rating of all 29 analysed ones (model SE DEA CCR-I CRS) will merge with those with the lowest effectiveness rating, creating a total of 9 new entities. Variant 2: three higher education institutions with the lowest effectiveness rating of all 29 analysed ones (model SE DEA CCR-I CRS) will merge with one another, creating one new entity, and the three merging institutions will leave the analysed group. Variant 3: three higher education institutions with the lowest effectiveness rating of all 29 analysed ones (model SE DEA CCR-I CRS) will merge with three randomly selected academic higher education institutions (DMU W30, DMU W31, DMU W32), creating three new pairs, and the three merging institutions will leave the analysed group. Findings: In terms of mutual benefits, i.e. changes in both higher education institutions undergoing a merger, there may be situations when similar effects are obtained by one of the merging institutions when paired with another entity. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the reverse applies. We may formulate a thesis that the benefits arising from a merger are not symmetrical. Practical Implications: The conclusions drawn from the simulations prove that not every merger between higher education institutions is a priori beneficial. In order to achieve the expected result, i.e. improved effectiveness, the consolidation process must proceed in a well-thought-out manner; importantly, it should involve appropriately selected educational institutions. Originality/Value: The analyses conducted illustrate the potential of a new approach to the higher education system.