European Academic Harmonization and Accreditation and Their Effects on Publication

Over the past two decades, a number of forces have compelled European governments to reevaluate their disparate academic systems and to work toward common standards for academic degrees. European academic ministers have chosen to sacrifice some of their autonomy in order to establish academic credential transparency and mobility across Europe. Since two major types of academic business schools have developed in Europe, the American system and the German system, this article recaps the historical development of the two academic systems and documents the changes which have been published in a variety of conferences, joint declarations, and extensive reports. The effects of harmonization have begun to alter the structure of doctoral programs and research institutions across Europe and will impact programs across the globe. This paper examines the history of these academic changes and explores the future opportunities and challenges for the global academic setting.