Purpose The purpose of the paper was to help resolve the problem if only the universities possessing strategic entrepreneurship manage to advance significantly in their global ranking positions, while most of their competitors fail. Design/methodology/approach Conceptual part of the study introduces a new strategic entrepreneurial latecomer university framework, based on the combination of the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities, strategic innovation, strategic entrepreneurship and latecomer organization concepts. For verification of the proposed conceptual framework, case study of the Lausanne Federal Polytechnic Institute is considered by structuring the materials of its well-documented success story of its advancing in global rankings in terms of the construct dimensions. Findings The case study findings were identification of entrepreneurial mindset, managing human resources strategically and strategic innovativeness. It confirms conceptual findings that the presence of strategic entrepreneurship construct dimensions in latecomer university is instrumental in sensing business opportunities at most lucrative market segments of scientific research, carrying out its strategic innovation responsible for university difference in strategic transformational development and exploiting the opportunities ahead of its competitors so as to become more competitive and overtake them. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are that only one case of university transition to catch-up development is explored and not all strategic entrepreneurship construct distinctive dimensions are considered. The research will be further elaborated to incorporate all strategic entrepreneurship construct dimensions. Practical implications The approach introduced here has shown that to advance in global rankings, university should carry out its strategic innovation ahead of its competitors. Originality/value The study is supposed to be the first where university at the stage of its transition to catch-up development is considered using new framework based on strategic entrepreneurship construct dimensions.

Abstract. The paper will help answer the question, why only few universities managed to succeed significantly in their global ranking advancement, while most of their competitors fail. For this purpose it will introduce a new strategically entrepreneurial catch-up university framework, based on the combination of the resource based view, dynamic capabilities, strategic entrepreneurship and latecomer organization concepts. The new framework logics explains the advantages of being ambidextrous for ranking oriented universities and pursuing new potentially more favorable opportunities for research development. It will propose that substantial increase in the level of dynamic capabilities of the universities and their resource base accumulation is based on the use of the new combination of financial, human and social capital combined with strategic management of these resources in the process of identification and exploitation of greater opportunities.

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