An interview with Michael Porter

Michael E. Porter is the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at the Harvard Business School. A university professorship is the highest professional recognition that can be given to a Harvard faculty member. Professor Porter is a leading authority on competitive strategy and the competitiveness and economic development of nations, states, and regions. He is the author of 16 books and over 85 articles, and has served as an advisor on competitive strategy to many leading companies. Professor Porter has also served as a counselor to governments around the world on issues of economic development and national competitiveness. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Management in 1988 and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in 1991. He also received the Charles Coolidge Parlin Award from the American Marketing Association in 1991. Professor Porter has been awarded honorary doctorates by eight universities around the world. His national honors include the Creu de St. Jordi (Cross of St. George) from Catalonia (Spain) and the Ruben Dario Order of Merit (the highest civilian honor awarded by the government of Nicaragua). In 2001, Harvard Business School and Harvard University jointly created the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, led by Professor Porter, to further his work. Professor Porter maintains a long-time interest in the esthetics and business of music and art, having worked on the problems of strategy with arts organizations and aspiring musicians. Professor Porter and his two daughters, Ilana (14) and Sonia (12), reside in Brookline, Massachusetts.