Conceptualizing the system-based university: an integrated framework

Universities operate in a complex landscape that increasingly requires them to balance global competitiveness with regional engagement while addressing a growing range of third mission (TM) activities. Existing models–such as the entrepreneurial and civic universities–offer distinct approaches to TM but are often framed as opposing paradigms, reinforcing a divide between economic and social TM orientations. This paper advances the System-Based University concept as an integrated framework that bridges these perspectives. It identifies three key dimensions: (i) synergy between teaching, research, and TM activities, (ii) alignment with local community needs, and (iii) excellence in research and teaching. The combination of these dimensions leads to different enduring university models, where their varying expressions result in distinct institutional configurations, with synergy critical in balancing localist (alignment-led) and globalist (excellence-led) strategies. To explore the reliability of this framework, we conduct a cluster analysis on an original dataset of universities across multiple countries, adopting a quantitative approach to classify institutions based on their strategic positioning. Our findings suggest a non-insignificant presence of system-based universities–institutions that integrate entrepreneurial and engaged features while maintaining firm regional embeddedness. This model offers a promising path to mitigating mission overload and fostering institutional sustainability. This study contributes to ongoing discussions on university engagement strategies by providing empirical evidence of system-based models. It offers practical insights for university managers and policymakers seeking to balance regional relevance with global ambitions, paving the way for future research on the evolution of university models.