Michael Lewis

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.