Michael Lewis

Research interests

Although always interested in an eclectic range of subjects, my research activities address two complementary themes across both public and private sector organizations: the strategic benefits of operational and supply competence and the dis-benefits of operational and supply failure. Moreover, these themes reflect a personal commitment to multi-disciplinary, practice-orientated but sometimes critical perspectives: employing a range of methodologies: from archive data work, to case studies and simple experimental game forms. Current research projects include:

• KIM Grand Challenge (task 3.1). An investigation of how organizations procure, rather than produce, complex performance.
• Producing and Procuring Productive Professional Services. A study (initially with a range of law firms and their customers) seeking to develop a perspective on these critical but poorly understood issues.
• Vehicle Safety Recalls. The incidence of recalls has been increasing and absolute levels are very high: 10.8 million vehicles (1992-2002) representing 47% of registrations. Moreover, there are substantial differences between manufacturers – European and American producers have rates nearly three times greater than their East Asian counterparts. This project is seeking to explore this phenomenon.
• The Process of Creating Public Value. Working with a range of local government organizations to explore how public value is created in practice. The work has three strands, focusing on process design, service charging and make versus buy decisions.

Education / Academic qualification

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge