An increasing number of companies finds that their individual success is more and more not only a function of their own decisions but also of the local business environment they operate in. In a globalized world economy, these geographically bound factors are among the few remaining sources of differentiation for companies.
Building on Michael Porters framework of competitiveness, the research in this areas tries to understand better the linkages between business environments and companies' strategic options. It looks at case studies, like the decision of Novartis to move its Global Research Headquarter from Basel to Boston, as well as larger datasets. The goal is to develop actionable advice for companies on how to mobilize the full potential of their locations for strategic purposes and how to make locational decisions in line with strategy.
Dr. Christian Ketels is a member of the Harvard Business School faculty at Professor Michael E. Porter’s Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness. He holds a PhD (Econ) from the London School of Economics and further degrees from the Kiel Institute for World Economics and Cologne University. In 2017 he was awarded a Honorary Doctorate in Economics and Business Administration by Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland). Dr. Ketels is the Vice-Chair of the Board of the Directors at Innovation Fund Denmark, the Danish government's innovation agency. He chairs the advisory board of TCI, a global network of professionals in the field of competitiveness, clusters, and is the chair of the academic advisory board of ORKESTRA The Basque Competitiveness Institute.
In 2009 he served as a Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore, between 2009 and 2016 he was Honorary Professor at the European Business School Oestrich-Winckel, and in 2017 he spend some time at the IMF as a visiting scholar. During 2018-19 he served as BCGs Chief Economist, and led the Center for Macroeconomics at the BCG Henderson Institute. Dr. Ketels has led cluster and competitiveness projects in many parts of the world, chaired/particpated in advisory groups to a range of government commissions, has written widely on economic policy issues, and is a frequent speaker on competitiveness and strategy in Europe, North America, and Asia.
- Books
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- Porter, Michael E., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Competitiveness Roadmap for India@100." Report, Institute for Competitiveness, India, September 2022. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M., Magareta Drzeniek Hanouz, Jackie Hunter, Stefan Kuhlmann, Tony Raven, Pieter Heringa, Uri Gabai, Göran Marklund, and Christopher Palmberg. "Peer Review of the Danish Research & Innovation System: Ten Steps, and a Leap Forward: Taking Danish Innovation to the Next Level." Report, European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Brussels, 2019. View Details
- Journal Articles
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- Ketels, Christian H.M., and Sergiy Protsiv. "Cluster Presence and Economic Performance: A New Look Based on European Data." Regional Studies 55, no. 2 (2021): 208–220. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M., and Michael E. Porter. "Rethinking the Role of the EU in European Competitiveness." Competitiveness Review 31, no. 2 (February 2021): 189–207. View Details
- Ketels, Christian. "Recent Research on Competitiveness and Clusters: What Are the Implications for Regional Policy? ." Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society 6, no. 2 (July 2013). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M., and Olga Memedovic. "From Clusters to Cluster-Based Economic Development." Special Issue on Global Value Chains and Innovation Networks: Prospects for Industrial Upgrading in Developing Countries. Part 1. International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation, and Development 1, no. 3 (August 2008). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Michael Porter's Competitiveness Framework--Recent Learnings and New Research Priorities." Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade 6, no. 2 (June 2006): 115–136. View Details
- Solvell, Orjan, Christian H.M. Ketels, and Goran Lindqvist. "Industrial Specialization and Regional Clusters in the Ten New EU Member States." Special Issue on Macro and Micro Level Competitiveness Competitiveness Review 18, nos. 1/2 (2008): 104 – 130. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Industrial Policy in the United States." Special Issue on The Future of Industrial Policy Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade 7, nos. 3-4 (December 2007): 143–323. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Cluster und Clusterpolitik: Wege zu mehr Wettbewerbsfähigkeit." Ratio 13, no. 4 (July 2007). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "All together now: Clusters and FDI attraction." fDi Magazine (June/July 2004). View Details
- Fjeldstad, Øystein D., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Competitive Advantage and the Value Network Configuration: Making Decisions at a Swedish Life Insurance Company." Long Range Planning 39, no. 2 (April 2006): 109–131. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "The Baltic Sea Region: Prepared for the Next Stage?" Baltinfo 86 (May–June 2007). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Danmark går glip af ny vækstmodel [Denmark is Missing Out on a New Growth Model: Clusters]." Mandag Morgen (August 16, 2004). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Europa skal reddes af nye klynger." Mandag Morgen (June 11, 2007). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Review of Stig Tenold's Tankers in Trouble." International Journal of Maritime History 21, no. 2 (December 2007): 407–411. View Details
- Ketels, Christian. "The Baltic Tigers: An End in Sight for the Growth Story?" Baltic Rim Economies, no. 5 (2006). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "How to Evaluate Clusters." Special Issue "Poles de Competitivite Revue parlementaire (July 2005). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Location, Location, Location." Global Agenda, no. 3 (January 2005). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Med verden som marked: To syn på vad det betyr." A world of opportunities. Norwegian Industry Association (January 2002). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Strategy and Location: Part 1 and Part 2." Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (December 2001). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Help Us Think About The Hard Questions - On Prof Ulrich Beck's 'September 11th: Globalisation's Chernobyl'." Financial Times (November 9, 2001). (Letter to the Editor.) View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M., and Geoffrey Owen. "What Can Europe Learn from the US?" Personal View Financial Times (June 4, 2001). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Why the European Context Matters." European Business Forum, no. 8 (winter 2001). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Mit dem Reichtum umgehen - Norwegen sucht die Zukunft nach dem Öl (Managing a Windfall - Norway's Future beyond the Oil)." Orientierungen zur Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftspolitik 84 (2000). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Großbritanniens Zweifel an der Europäischen Wirtschafts - und Währungsunion (The UK and Its Hesitance towards European Economic and Monetary Union)." Orientierungen zur Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftspolitik 67 (1996). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Review of 'Financial Integration, Corporate Governance, and the Performance of Multinational Companies' by M. Fukao." Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv (1996). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Ist Freihandel mit Japan möglich? (Free Trade with Japan - even possible?)." Orientierungen zur Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftspolitik 56 (1993). View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Zu Norbert Walter: Der Vertrag von Maastricht (To N. Walter: The Maastricht Treaty)." Politische Meinung, no. 273 (1992). View Details
- Book Chapters
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- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Structural Transformation: A Competitiveness-Based View." Chap. 7 in The Oxford Handbook of Structural Transformation, edited by Célestin Monga and Justin Yifu Lin. Oxford University Press, 2019. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "The Swedish Competitiveness Scorecard 2017." Chap. 2 in Swedish Economic Forum Report 2017: Svensk konkurrenskraft, edited by Johan Eklund and Per Thulin, 18–46. Sweden: Swedish Entrepreneurship Forum, 2017, Swedish ed. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Upgrading Regional Competitiveness: What Role for Regional Governments?" Chap. 22 in Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness: Contemporary Theories and Perspectives on Economic Development, edited by Robert Huggins and Piers Thompson, 501–517. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Ein Jahrzehnt Clusterpolitik und -forschung: Implikationen für eine moderne, clusterorientierte Wirtschaftsförderung." Chap. 3 in Zukunft der Wirtschaftsförderung, edited by Rasmus C. Beck, Rolf G. Heinze, and Josef Schmid, 45–64. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, 2014, German ed. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "What Is Regional Strategy? Lessons from Business Strategy." Chap. 3 in Strategies for Shaping Territorial Competitiveness, edited by Jesus M. Valdaliso and James R. Wilson, 37–54. New York, NY: Routledge, 2015. View Details
- Delgado, Mercedes, and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Assessing Country Competitiveness: The Case of Spain." In Innovation, Global Change And Territorial Resilience, edited by Philip Cooke, Mario D. Parrilli, and Jose L. Curbelo. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Clusters and Competitiveness: Porter's Contribution." Chap. 10 in Competition, Competitive Advantage, and Clusters: The Ideas of Michael Porter, edited by Robert Huggins and Hiro Izushi, 173–192. Oxford University Press, 2011. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Política de clústers: guia per a l'Estat del Debat (Cluster Policy: The State of the Debate)." In Clusters i competitivitat: el cas de Catalunya (1993-2010), edited by Joan Miquel Hernandez Gascon, Alberto Pezzi, and Antoni Soy I Casals, 129 – 150. Papers d'economia industrial. Barcelona: Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament d'Innovació, Universitats i Empresa, 2010, Spanish ed. View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Clusters and Industrial Districts - Common Roots, Different Perspectives." In The Handbook of Industrial Districts, edited by Giacomo Becattini, Marco Bellandi, and Lisa De Propris. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2009. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "The Global Competitive Position of the Baltic Sea Region." Chap. 1.3 in Transnational Cooperation for Prosperity in the Baltic Sea Region, 15–19. Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers, 2009. View Details
- Porter, Michael E., Mercedes Delgado-Garcia, Christian H.M. Ketels, and Scott Stern. "Moving to a New Global Competitiveness Index." Chap. 1.2 in Global Competitiveness Report 2008/2009, edited by Michael E. Porter and Klaus Schwab, 43–63. Geneva: World Economic Forum, 2008. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Clusterentwicklung als Element lokaler und regionaler Wirtschaftsentwicklung - internationale Erfahrungen." In Cluster in der kommunalen und regionalen Wirtschaftspolitik. 5th ed. Edited by Holger Floeting, 41–54. Edition Difu--Stadt, Forschung, Praxis. Berlin: Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik, 2008, German ed. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "New Evidence on Cluster Organizations." Preface to Automotive Clustering in Europe, edited by Gergana Dimitrova and Gerrit Stratmann. Darmstadt, Germany: Europäischer Wirtschafts Verlag GmbH, 2008. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Microeconomic Determinants of Location Competitiveness for MNEs." In Foreign Direct Investments, Location and Competitiveness. Vol. 2, edited by John Dunning and Philippe Gugler. Progress in International Business Research. Oxford: Elsevier, 2007. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Was sind Cluster? Antworten aus der Wissenschaft." In Treibhäuser der Innovation, edited by Moritz Kralemann, Ann-Katrin Schröder, and Michael Sonnabend, 20–29. Essen, Germany: Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, 2007. View Details
- Porter, Michael E., Christian H.M. Ketels, and Mercedes Delgado-Garcia. "The Microeconomic Foundations of Prosperity: Findings from the Business Competitiveness Index." In Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007, edited by Augusto Lopez-Claros, Michael E. Porter, Xavier Sala-i-Martin, and Klaus Schwab. Palgrave Macmillan: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "UK Competitiveness: Moving to the Next Stage." In Improving Competitiveness, edited by Ben Shimshon. London: Smith Institute, 2006. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Competitiveness in Developing Economies: The Role of Clusters and Cross-Cutting Policies." In Nurturing the Sources of Growth in Tanzania -- Workshop Proceedings. Dar-es-Salam: Tanzania Ministry of Planning, Economy, and Empowerment, 2006. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "UK Competitiveness-Old Labour Market Institutions, New Collaborative Roles." In Productive Partnerships: The Role of Employment Relations in Growing the UK Economy, edited by Tony Pilch, 12–23. London: Smith Institute, 2006. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Cluster und Innovation." In Digitale Fachbibliothek Innovationsmanagement, edited by Heiko Barske, Alexander Gerybadze, Lars Hünninghausen, and Tom Sommerlatte. Dusseldorf, Germany: Symposion Publishing GmbH, 2005.Electronic View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Finding the Right Match." In What's Next? Strategic Views on Foreign Direct Investment, edited by Samuel Passow and Magnus Runnbeck, 104–115. Geneva: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2005. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "European Clusters." In Innovative City and Business Regions. Vol. 3, edited by Thomas Mentzel. Structural Change in Europe. Bollschweil, Germany: Hagbarth Publications, 2004. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Export-Led Development in Regional Economies." In Encyclopedia of Community: From the Village to the Virtual World. 4 vols. Edited by Karen Christensen, Robin Jarrett, Dennis Judd, David Levinson, William Metcalf, Roberta Moudry, Ray Oldenburg, Sonya Salamon, Thomas Sander, Michael Shuman, Barry Wellman, and Michael Zuckerman. Great Barrington, MA: Berkshire Publishing, 2003. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Export-Led Development." In Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. 6 vols. Edited by David Levinson. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "The Impact of Globalisation." In Future Directions of Innovation Policy in Europe: Proceedings of the Innovation Policy Workshop. Vol. 31. Innovation Papers. Brussels: European Commission, Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General, 2002. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M., Dirk Seifert, and Alexander Kracklauer. "Cooperative Customer Management: Is There Strategic Potential for a New Relationship between Retail and Industry?" In Consulting 2002, edited by Felix Breichenstein. Frankfurt, Germany: FAZ-Verlag, 2002. View Details
- Working Papers
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- Ketels, Christian H.M., and Peter Clinch. "Acting Now While Preparing for Tomorrow: Competitiveness Upgrading Under the Shadow of COVID-19." Discussion Paper, Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Boston, MA, US, 2020. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M., and Emiliano Duch. "Industrial Policy in a New Global Reality: Towards a More Location—and Sector—Driven Approach." Private Sector Development Blog, World Bank, July 2022. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Cluster Mapping as a Tool for Development." Working Paper, June 2017. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Structural Transformation: A Competitiveness-based View." African Development Bank Group Working Paper, No. 258, May 2017. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Competitiveness and Clusters: Implications for a New European Growth Strategy." WWW for Europe Working Paper Series, No. 84, February 2015. View Details
- Ketels, Christian, and Sergiy Protsiv. "Clusters and the New Growth Path for Europe." WWW for Europe Working Paper Series, No. 14, July 2013. (WIFO, Vienna.) View Details
- Delgado, Mercedes, Christian Ketels, Michael E. Porter, and Scott Stern. "The Determinants of National Competitiveness." NBER Working Paper Series, No. 18249, July 2012. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Evaluating Trade Policies New Instruments: Theory and Policy of Voluntary Import Expansion (VIE)." Kiel Advanced Studies Working Papers, No. 261, April 1994. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Trade Between Structurally Different Economies: Institutional Thoughts on the Japanese Case." Kiel Advanced Studies Working Papers, No. 256, November 1993. View Details
- Cases and Teaching Materials
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- Porter, Michael E., and Christian Ketels. "Remaking Singapore." Harvard Business School PowerPoint Supplement 714-438, October 2013. View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Christian Ketels. "European Integration: Meeting the Competitiveness Challenge." Harvard Business School Case 714-405, July 2013. (Revised May 2017.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., Christian H.M. Ketels, and Jorge Ramirez-Vallejo. "New York City: Bloomberg's Strategy for Economic Development." Harvard Business School Case 714-404, July 2013. (Revised September 2013.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., Christian Ketels, and Örjan Sölvell. "Estonia: Transition, EU Membership, and the Euro." Harvard Business School Case 713-479, June 2013. (Revised March 2016.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Vietnam: Sustaining the Growth of an Asian Tiger." Harvard Business School Case 713-480, January 2013. (Revised August 2013.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., Christian H.M. Ketels, and Jesus M. Valdaliso. "The Basque Country: Strategy for Economic Development." Harvard Business School Case 713-474, January 2013. (Revised June 2016.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., Boon Siong Neo, and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Remaking Singapore." Harvard Business School Case 710-483, June 2010. (Revised August 2013.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Iceland: Small fish in a global pond." Harvard Business School Case 708-472, November 2007. (Revised August 2009.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Indonesia: Attracting Foreign Investment." Harvard Business School Case 708-420, November 2007. (Revised January 2013.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Latvia: Economic Strategy after EU Accession." Harvard Business School Case 707-515, February 2007. (Revised November 2007.) View Details
- Fear, Jeffrey, Christian H.M. Ketels, and Claudia Linsenmeier. "Cluster Mobilization in Mitteldeutschland." Harvard Business School Case 707-004, August 2006. (Revised May 2016.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Latvia: Economic Strategy after EU Accession (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 707-524, March 2007. View Details
- Fear, Jeffrey, and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Cluster Mobilization in Mitteldeutschland (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 707-005, August 2006. View Details
- Presentations
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- Ketels, Christian H.M., and Michael E. Porter. "India’s Quest for Sustainable Growth in a New Global Reality: The Need for a Region- and Sector-Driven Approach." Paper presented at the 2nd Global Conference on Regional Development, Talent Institute and Tsinghua University, School of Public Policy and Management, Shenzen, China, January 13–14, 2023. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "UK Competitiveness: Entering a New Stage." Smith Institute, London, United Kingdom, March 16, 2004. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Cluster-Based Economic Development: What Have We Learned?" United Kingdom, Department of Trade and Industry, London, March 17, 2004. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Asia Competitiveness Institute Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy." Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Bangkok, Thailand, May 2003. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Thailand’s Competitiveness: Meeting the Challenges of Globalization and Environmental Sustainability." Asia Competitiveness Institute, Bangkok, Thailand, November 26, 2009. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Global Competitiveness Report 2004-05: Sweden’s Business Competitiveness." Global Competitiveness Report Launch, Stockholm, October 13, 2004. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Global Competitiveness Report 2004-05: Deutschlands Wettbewerbsfähigkeit." Bertelsmann Stiftung, Bertelsmann Stiftung, Berlin, Germany, November 10, 2004. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M., Örjan Sölvell, and Göran Lindqvist. "The Cluster Observatory Classroom." European Cluster Observatory, March 2010. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "European Competitiveness in 2004." MBA Lecture, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Ekonomski fakultet, June 16, 2004. View Details
- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Microeconomic Aspects of Competitiveness:Lessons for Post-Crisis Growth Policies." Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Riga, Latvia, September 15, 2010. View Details
- Reports
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- Ketels, Christian H.M. "Review of Competitiveness Frameworks: An Analysis Conducted for the Irish National Competitiveness Council." Report, Dublin, Ireland, April 2016. View Details
- Research Summary
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Michael Porter's framework of competitiveness has provided a structured way for regions, countries, and groups of neighboring countries to analyze their competitiveness and identify priorities for competitiveness upgrading. My research applies these concepts to particular geographies, especially Europe and its regions, to develop actionable advice and support further developments of the conceptual framework.
- Awards & Honors
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Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Economics and Business Development from Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland in 2017.Recipient of the 2011 Excellence in Teaching Award from EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht.
- Additional Information
- Areas of Interest
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- competitive strategy
- economic development
- foreign direct investment
- government and business
- competition
- competitive advantage
- consumer policy
- corporate social responsibility
- cross-cultural/cross-border
- economic institutions
- economics
- globalization
- industry evolution
- industry structure
- infrastructure
- innovation
- intellectual property
- international business
- international comparison
- invention
- macroeconomics
- management styles
- market institutions
- patents
- philanthropy
- political economy
- privatization
- strategy
- technological change
- welfare state
- automotive
- biotechnology
- federal government
- internet
- textiles
- tourism
- wine
- Australia
- Europe
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- Romania
- Scandinavia
- Singapore
- Southeast Asia
- Southeastern Europe
- Sweden
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Western Europe
- Yugoslavia (pre-1992)
Additional TopicsIndustriesGeographies - In The News
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