MANAGING ALUMNI LOYALTY. POLAND FROM AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to identify the loyalty management determinants of university alumni. As the pandemic has influenced all walks of life, including university performance and, as a result, the relations between the university and the alumni. The paper also addresses the impact of COVID-19 on selected alumni loyalty programs. The critical literature research was enriched with the analysis of loyalty programs of selected 15 universities under the EU-sponsored "Forge of Professionals 7” project, with the follow-up analysis of 2 universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, alumni loyalty determinants were developed. Managing alumni loyalty could be divided into three groups: alumni-based, university-based, and mixed. The most important factor influencing alumni loyalty is not the organization of alumni loyalty management, but the communication tools used by a university. The implementation of the results can bring numerous benefits to the universities: they can enjoy great flexibility in managing alumni relations systems. The university willing to strengthen alumni relations must take this from a strategic point of view. Establishing flourishing alumni relations is always a long process, requiring bold planning and consistent execution. Its value is a practical approach to the management of the relationship between a university and its alumni, and as such, it can greatly contribute to improving policy and practice in higher education. © 2022, Czestochowa University of Technology. All rights reserved.