Michael A Witt

Michael A. Witt is Professor of International Business and Strategy at King's Business School, King’s College London. He holds a PhD and MA from Harvard University and an AB from Stanford University. He is a Fellow of the Academy of International Business and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through his research on global governance, international business, and geopolitical risk.

• PhD, Harvard University
• MA, Harvard University
• AB, Stanford University

His research centers on the institutional and geopolitical context of international business, with a focus on de-globalization, Cold War 2.0, and varieties of capitalism. He employs advanced methodologies such as fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine how national institutional systems shape firm strategy. His work bridges political economy and strategic management, offering insights into how multinational enterprises navigate geopolitical tensions and institutional divergence.

His recent publications, appearing in top journals like Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of International Business Studies, and Strategic Management Journal, reflect a strong trend toward understanding the political dimensions of international business, including decoupling, national security, foreign policy, and corporate governance nonconformity. These works collectively emphasize the growing importance of politics and institutional context in global strategy.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Humboldt Fellowship
• Multiple teaching awards
• Dean's commendations for teaching excellence

Witt has served in significant editorial roles, including Editor-in-Chief of Asian Business & Management and Consulting Editor of Journal of International Business Studies. Prior to joining King’s, he spent over 20 years as a professor at INSEAD, where he taught in MBA, EMBA, and executive development programs. He does not currently accept PhD students. He has lived and worked in multiple countries, including China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the UK, and the US, giving him a truly global perspective on international business.

He is actively involved in executive education, recently leading a masterclass on Blue Ocean Strategy at King’s Executive MBA program, demonstrating his commitment to translating academic insights into practical leadership development.