Associate Professor in International Macroeconomics
Assistant Director of the Centre for Business Research (CBR)
Fellow of St Catharine’s College
BA (University of Cambridge)
My research interests include macroeconomic policy and performance, international trade, regional economics, corporate performance, innovation, and the commercialisation of science. I’m a Hub Director of the UK-Innovation Research Centre and have undertaken research for the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, among others. I’m currently advising the Northern Ireland Government about its innovation policy.
I’m a member of the Economics and Policy subject group at Cambridge Judge Business School, which analyses how economics can improve growth and business performance.
Professional experience
Michael Kitson has undertaken research for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).
Michael Kitson was an Assistant Director of the Centre for Business Research (CBR) and Hub Director of the UK-Innovation Research Centre. He was also Assistant Director of the National Competitiveness Network (NCN) of the Cambridge-MIT Institute (CMI) between 2000 and 2003, and Director of NCN between 2003 and 2007. CMI was a joint venture between Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to improve competitiveness, innovation and entrepreneurship in the UK. He has provided evidence and advice to: the EU; the House of Lords enquiry into globalisation; and various regional and local governments. He is currently advising the Northern Ireland Government about its innovation policy.
Previous appointments
Before coming to the School, Michael Kitson was Newton Trust Lecturer in the Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge and College Teaching Officer at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. He has also been a Research Associate at the Department of Land Economy and a Research Officer at the Department of Applied Economics, University of Cambridge.
Publications
- Selected publications
- Journal articles
- Book chapters
- Books, monographs, reports and case studies
- Conference papers
- Working papers
Selected publications
- Lawson, C., Salter, A., Hughes, A. and Kitson, M. (2019) “Citizens of somewhere: examining the geography of foreign and native-born academics’ engagement with external actors.” Research Policy, 48(3): 759-774 (DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2018.11.008)
- Freitas, C. and Kitson, M. (2018) “Perceptions of entrepreneurial ecosystems in remote islands and core regions.” Island Studies Journal, 13(1): 267-284 (DOI: 10.24043/isj.44)
- Hughes, A. and Kitson, M. (2012) “Pathways to impact and the strategic role of universities: new evidence on the breadth and depth of university knowledge exchange in the UK and the factors constraining its development.” Cambridge Journal of Economics, 36(3): 723-750 (DOI: 10.1093/cje/bes017)
- Kitson, M., Martin, R. and Tyler, P. (2011) “The geographies of austerity.” Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 4(3): 289-302 (DOI: 10.1093/cjres/rsr030)
- Abreu, M., Grinevich, V., Kitson, M. and Savona, M. (2010) “Policies to enhance the ‘hidden innovation’ in services: evidence and lessons from the UK.” The Service Industries Journal, 30(1): 99-118 (DOI: 10.1080/02642060802236160)
- Haugh, H. and Kitson, M. (2007) “The Third Way and the third sector: New Labour’s economic policy and the social economy.” Cambridge Journal of Economics, 31(6): 973-994
Journal articles
- Kitson, M. (2019) “Innovation policy and place: a critical assessment.” Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 12(2): 293-315 (DOI: 10.1093/cjres/rsz007)
- Lawson, C., Salter, A., Hughes, A. and Kitson, M. (2019) “Citizens of somewhere: examining the geography of foreign and native-born academics’ engagement with external actors.” Research Policy, 48(3): 759-774 (DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2018.11.008)
- Freitas, C. and Kitson, M. (2018) “Perceptions of entrepreneurial ecosystems in remote islands and core regions.” Island Studies Journal, 13(1): 267-284 (DOI: 10.24043/isj.44)
- Lobao, L., Gray, M., Cox, K. and Kitson, M. (2018) “The shrinking state? Understanding the assault on the public sector.” Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 11(3): 389-408 (DOI: 10.1093/cjres/rsy026)
- Hughes, A. and Kitson, M. (2012) “Pathways to impact and the strategic role of universities: new evidence on the breadth and depth of university knowledge exchange in the UK and the factors constraining its development.” Cambridge Journal of Economics, 36(3): 723-750 (DOI: 10.1093/cje/bes017)
- Kitson, M., Martin, R. and Tyler, P. (2011) “The geographies of austerity.” Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 4(3): 289-302 (DOI: 10.1093/cjres/rsr030)
- Abreu, M., Grinevich, V., Kitson, M. and Savona, M. (2010) “Policies to enhance the ‘hidden innovation’ in services: evidence and lessons from the UK.” The Service Industries Journal, 30(1): 99-118 (DOI: 10.1080/02642060802236160)
- De Goei, B., Burger, M.J., Van Oort, F.G. and Kitson, M. (2010) “Functional polycentrism and urban network development in the Greater South East, United Kingdom: evidence from commuting patterns, 1981-2001.” Regional Studies, 44(9): 1149-1170 (DOI: 10.1080/00343400903365102)
- Haugh, H. and Kitson, M. (2007) “The Third Way and the third sector: New Labour’s economic policy and the social economy.” Cambridge Journal of Economics, 31(6): 973-994
- Kitson, M. and Wilkinson, F. (2007) “The economics of New Labour: policy and performance.” Cambridge Journal of Economics, 31(6): 806-816 (DOI: 10.1093/cje/bem045)
- Iyer, S., Kitson, M. and Toh, B. (2005) “Social capital, economic growth and regional development.” Regional Studies, 39(8): 1015-1040
- Kitson, M. (2005) “The American economic model and European economic policy.” Regional Studies, 39(7): 987-1001
- Martin, R., Gray, M., Tyler, P., McCombie, J., Fingleton, B., Kitson, M., Asheim, H. and Glasmeier, A. (2005) “Editorial: of journals, oil tankers and citation impacts: signing-off the editorship of Regional Studies.” Regional Studies, 39(9): 1157-1158
- Kitson, M. (2005) “Economics for the future.” Cambridge Journal of Economics, 29(6): 827-835
- Kitson, M., Martin, R., Tyler, P. (2004) “Editorial: In honour of David Keeble: pioneer in the study of regional enterprise and entrepreneurship.” Regional Studies, 38(8): 867-869
- Kitson, M., Martin, R. and Tyler, P. (2004) “Regional competitiveness: an elusive yet key concept?” Regional Studies, 38(9): 991-999
- Kitson, M., Martin, R. and Wilkinson, F. (2000) “Labour markets, social justice and economic efficiency.” Cambridge Journal of Economics, 24(6): 631-641
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1997) “Does manufacturing matter?” International Journal of the Economics of Business, 4(1): 71-95
- Berry, R., Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1996) “Creating jobs fast: a million jobs could be created quickly and without excessive cost.” New Economy, 3(3): 133-137
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1996) “Britain’s industrial performance since 1960: underinvestment and relative decline.” Economic Journal, 106(434): 196-212
- Kitson, M. and Solomou, S. (1995) “Bilateralism in the interwar world economy.” Bulletin of Economic Research, 47(3): 197-219
- Kitson, M. and Solomou, S. (1991) “Trade policy and the regionalization of imports in interwar Britain.” Bulletin of Economic Research, 43(2): 151-168
- Kitson, M., Solomou, S. and Weale, M. (1991) “Effective protection and economic recovery in the United Kingdom during the 1930s.” Economic History Review, 44(2): 328-338
Book chapters
- Kitson, M. (2007) “Regional variations in competitiveness and their implications for regional policy.” In Cosh, A. and Hughes, A. (eds.): British enterprise: thriving or surviving? Cambridge: ESRC Centre for Business Research, pp.58-64
- Kitson, M. (2005) “Measuring capitalism: output, growth and economic policy.” In Coates, D. (ed.): Varieties of capitalism, varieties of approach. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Kitson, M. (2004) “Failure followed by success or success followed by failure? A re-examination of British economic growth since 1949.” In Floud, R. and Johnson, D. (eds.): The Cambridge economic history of modern Britain: vol.3: Structural change and growth, 1939-2000. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.27-56
- Kitson, M., Michie, J. and Sheehan-Quinn, M. (2003) “Markets, competition, cooperation and innovation.” In Coffey, D. and Thornley, C. (eds.): Industrial and labour market policy and performance: issues and perspectives. London: Routledge
- Kitson, M. and Wilkinson, F. (2003) “Labour mobility, training and labour force flexibility.” In Cosh, A. and Hughes, A. (eds.): Enterprise challenged: policy and performance in the British SME sector 1999-2002. Cambridge: ESRC Centre for Business Research, pp.32-44
- Kitson, M. and Wilkinson, F. (2003) “The state of competitiveness.” In Cosh, A. and Hughes, A. (eds.): Enterprise challenged: policy and performance in the British SME sector 1999-2002. Cambridge: ESRC Centre for Business Research, pp.20-31
- Kitson, M. (2001) “Memorandum.” In House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs (eds.): Globalisation: HL Paper No.143. London: HMSO, pp.[1-10]
- Kitson, M. (2001) “Slump and recovery: the UK experience.” In Balderston, T. (ed.): World economy and national economies in the interwar slump. Basingstoke: Macmillan
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1999) “The political economy of globalisation.” In Archibugi, D., Howells, J. and Michie, J. (eds.): Innovation policy in a global economy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.163-183
- Kitson, M. (1997) “Competitive weakness of the UK economy.” In Arestis, P., Palma, G. and Sawyer, M. (eds.): Markets, unemployment and economic policy: essays in honour of Geoff Harcourt: vol.2. London: Routledge, pp.133-149
- Kitson, M., Michie, J. and Sutherland, H. (1997) “‘A price well worth paying?’ The benefits of a full-employment strategy.” In Michie, J. and Grieve Smith, J. (eds.): Employment and economic performance: jobs, inflation and growth. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.234-253
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1996) “Manufacturing capacity, investment, and employment.” In Michie, J. and Grieve Smith, J. (eds.): Creating industrial capacity: towards full employment. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.24-51
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1995) “Trade and growth: a historical perspective.” In Michie, J. and Grieve Smith, J. (eds.): Managing the global economy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.3-36
- Kitson, M. and Solomou, S. (1989) “The macroeconomics of protectionism: the case of Britain in the 1930s.” In Lawson, T., Gabriel Palma, J. and Sender, J. (eds.): Kaldor’s political economy. London: Academic Press, pp.155-170
Books, monographs, reports and case studies
- Kitson, K., Howells, J., Braham, R. and Westlake, S. (2009) The connected university: driving recovery and growth in the UK economy. London: National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts.
- Abreu, M., Grinevich, V., Kitson, M. and Savona. M. (2008) Taking services seriously: how policy can stimulate the ‘hidden innovation’ in the UK’s services economy. London: NESTA.
- Abreu, M., Grinevich, V., Kitson, M. and Savona, M. (2007) Absorptive capacity and regional patterns of innovation, Report to the Department of Trade and Industry. London: Department of Trade and Industry.
- Martin, R., Kitson, M. and Tyler, P. (eds.) (2006) Regional competitiveness. London: Routledge.
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (2000) The political economy of competitiveness: essays on employment, public policy and corporate performance. London: Routledge.
- Kitson, M. and Solomou, S. (1990) Protectionism and economic revival: the British interwar economy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Conference papers
- Primost, D., Oliver, N. and Kitson, M. (2002) “The impact of exchange rates on operations: the case of the UK automotive components industry.” In Christiansen, J.K. and Boer, H. (eds.) Operations management and the new economy: Proceedings of the International Conference of the European Operations Management Association (9th), 2-4 June 2002, Copenhagen, Denmark. Aalborg: Copenhagen Business School and Aalborg University, pp.1191-1201
Working papers
- Kitson, M., Michie, J. and Quinn, M. (2001) “Markets, competition, cooperation and innovation.” ESRC Centre for Business Research, Cambridge University, Working Paper No.212
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1998) “Markets, competition and innovation.” ESRC Centre for Business Research, Cambridge University, Working Paper No.84
- Kitson, M., Michie, J. and Sutherland, H. (1996) “The fiscal and distributional implications of job creation.” ESRC Centre for Business Research, Cambridge University, Working Paper No.37
- Kitson, M. (1995) “Seedcorn or chaff? Unemployment and small firm performance.” ESRC Centre for Business Research, Cambridge University, Working Paper No.2
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1995) “Britain’s industrial performance since 1960: underinvestment and relative decline.” ESRC Centre for Business Research, Cambridge University, Working Paper No.14
- Kitson, M. and Michie, J. (1995) “Conflict, cooperation and change: the political economy of trade and trade policy.” Judge Institute of Management, Cambridge University, Research Paper No.1995/20
News and insights
Programme news
New Director of Cambridge MBA: Focus on critical thinking and challenging your beliefs
Challenging beliefs and building a firm foundation of skills is crucial for students beginning their MBA journey, says Juliana Kozak Rogo, new Director of the Cambridge MBA programme.
Career and personal development
Leadership and government roles with an MBA
During a super-cycle year for elections across the globe, we look at how an MBA can help equip you for a role in government – and develop leadership skills transferrable to multiple sectors.
Cambridge is the world’s most intense cluster for patent applications and scientific articles based on population, shows 2023 Global Innovation Index, placing Cambridge Judge at the heart of a unique and innovative ecosystem.
Media coverage
Le Soir | 28 March 2023
It’s up to the government to pick the right economic battles
Michael Kitson, Associate Professor in International Macroeconomics at Cambridge Judge Business School, is featured in this article regarding the UK’s trade performance.
The Conversation | 2 February 2023
UK to perform worst of major economies in 2023, says IMF – here’s how to achieve long-term growth
Michael Kitson, Associate Professor in International Macroeconomics at Cambridge Judge Business School, says in an article in The Conversation that three key areas – capital investment, innovation policy and institutional leadership – hold the key to boosting stagnant UK productivity growth.
Poets & Quants | 20 December 2021
15 Executive MBA professors who made a difference in 2021
Christie Marr, currently on Executive MBA programme at Cambridge Judge Business School, nominated Michael Kitson as an academic who made a difference:
“The lecturers at Cambridge Judge were all excellent and the different modules really complemented one another. If I have to pick just one person, then it would be Michael Kitson, who taught me both Macroeconomics and International Business,” Christie says. “I loved how he compared different schools of thought such as the Free Market Economy espoused by Friedman and the more interventionist approach advocated by Keynes, but let students decide their personal preference. His use of concepts and frameworks taught to analyse the short-, medium- and long-term economic impact of COVID-19 internationally and to explore mitigation policies was both fascinating and timely.”
Business Because, 4 October 2021
Five ways Covid has changed global business
Financial Times, 1 June 2021
Real-world economics gains ground in business studies
The Conversation, 16 March 2021
Joe Biden’s US$1.9 trillion stimulus won’t be enough to reignite world economy on its own
Sohu, 22 September 2020
from West to East
OMFIF, 14 January 2020
Gold and the future of the global reserve currency system
Poets & Quants, 23 December 2019
Business schools predict what 2020 has in store
The Conversation, 5 December 2019
A £50 billion ‘Remain bonus’? This claim may not be a fact but it’s very likely
Management Today, 25 October 2019
Elton John, Lord Weinstock and the 3-day week: A journey back to 1973
The Independent, 9 August 2019
Economists say Brexit is not good for troubling GDP
Metro, 20 July 2019
How a no-deal Brexit is going to affect our lives
Business Because, 18 July 2019
10 books every MBA candidate should read this summer
The Washington Post, 11 July 2019
Branson: Pound could be just a dollar in ‘no-deal’ Brexit
The Telegraph, 10 July 2019
FA survey reveals enormous social and economic benefits of grass-roots football
The Conversation, 5 July 2019
George Osborne is a bad fit for the IMF – top economist takes a close look at his bid for the job
East Anglia Business Magazine, 29 April 2019
What is innovation
The Wall Street Journal, 4 April 2019
Fearing a no-deal Brexit, British companies hoard like it’s wartime
Research Fortnight, 1 February 2019
Foreign-born academics boost impact at home and abroad
Business Because, 21 January 2019
AMBA launches new business school accreditation to rival AACSB
Phys.org, 11 December 2018
The contribution of international academics to UK must be recognised
The Conversation, 30 November 2018
G20 will be about Donald Trump and his tariffs – but China will dominate the new world order
The Conversation, 29 October 2018
UK Budget 2018: experts respond
Business Because, 18 April 2018
Business schools are placing ethical dilemmas on the syllabus
Top MBA, 10 January 2018
How are business schools injecting politics education into their MBA programmes?