Staff profile
Professor Richard Harris
Professor of Economics
BA, MA, PhD

Affiliation | Room number | Telephone |
---|---|---|
Professor of Economics in the Business School | MHL 168 | +44 (0) 191 33 45388 |
Biography
Before (re)joining Durham University Business School in September 2012, Richard held the positions of Alec Cairncross Professor of Applied Economics and Director of the Centre for Public Policy for Regions at Glasgow University. He previously worked at the Universities of Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, Portsmouth and Queen's Belfast in the UK and Waikato in New Zealand. He holds degrees from the Universities of Belfast (Queen's), Lancaster and Kent.
To date (January 2023), he has published some 175 journal articles, book chapters, and books. He has undertaken a significant amount of public policy research, including extensive work for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) involving acting as an External Advisor on Trade Development Activities and the Asia Task Force project. In 2012-13 he was a member of the BIS/Foresight Lead Expert Group that reported in October 2013 on ‘The Future of Manufacturing in the UK’; and a Special Advisor to the UK Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards. He was an inaugural member of the ESRC Administrative Data Research Network (ADRN) Project Approvals Panel. Currently, he ia an academic member of the DIT Trade & Economy panel, a Research Affiliate of the New Zealand Productivity Commission, and a member of the Exporting Strategy Working Group for the NE LEP.

Mini Biography
Before joining Durham University Business School in September 2012, Richard held the positions of Alec Cairncross Professor of Applied Economics and Director of the Centre for Public Policy for Regions at Glasgow University. He previously worked at the Universities of Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, Portsmouth and Queen's Belfast in the UK and Waikato in New Zealand. He holds degrees from the Universities of Belfast, (Queen's), Lancaster and Kent.
Research interests
- Micro-analysis of firm/plant level productivity in the UK using panel data
- Gender bias in UK Higher Education
- Differences in (UK) regional performance
- Evaluation of government industrial policy
- Relative performance of UK SMEs
- Evaluation methodology for impact of government assistance on TFP
Research groups
Publications
Authored book
- Harris, R. (1989). The Structure and Growth of the UK Regional Economy, 1963-85. Gower.
Chapter in book
- Harris, R. & Reid, R. (2008). Barriers to Growth in Family-owned Smaller Businesses. In International Handbook of Entrepreneurship and HRM. Barrett, R. & Mayson, S. Edward Elgar. 260-284.
- Harris, R., Siegel, D. & Wright, M. (2008). Assessing the Impact of Management Buyouts on Economic Efficiency: Plant-Level Evidence from the United Kingdom. In Private Equity and management Buy-outs. Wright, M. & Bruining, H. Edward Elgar. 293-305.
- Harris, R., Chapple, S. & Silverstone, B. (1996). Unemployment. In A Study of Economic Reform: The Case of New Zealand. Silverstone, B., Bollard, A. & Lattimore, R. Amsterdam: North Holland. 139-172.
- Harris, R. (1993). Retreat From Policy: The Rationale and Effectiveness of Automatic Capital Grants. In Spatial Policy in a Divided Nation. Harrison, R.T. & Hart, M. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 64-84.
- Harris, R. (1990). Manufacturing Industry. In The Northern Ireland Economy: Growth in a Peripheral Region. Harris, R., Jefferson, C.W. & Spencer, J.E. Longmand. 48-78.
- Harris, R. (1990). Income. In The Northern Ireland Economy: Growth in a Peripheral Region. Harris, R., Jefferson, C.W. & Spencer, J.E. Longmans. 217-251.
- Harris, R. (1989). Relative Earnings in Northern Ireland, 1972-82. In Northern Ireland: Studies in Social and Economic Life. Jenkins, R. Gower. 126-148.
Edited book
- Harris, R., Jefferson, C.W. & Spencer, J.E. (1990). The Northern Ireland Economy: Growth in a Peripheral Region. Longmans.
Journal Article
- Sunley, Peter Harris, Jack L Pike, Andy Harris, Richard, Martin, Ron & Evenhuis, Emil (2022). Industrial Policies, Strategy, and the UK’s Levelling Up Agenda. Local Economy 37(5): 403-418.
- Harris, Richard & Mate-Sanchez-Val, Mariluz (2022). Gender pay and productivity in UK universities: Evidence from research-intensive Business Schools. Economics Letters 218: 110738.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2022). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level and distribution of intangibles investment in the UK. Applied Economics Letters 29(13): 1238-1242.
- Harris, Richard & Moffat, John (2021). The geographical dimension of productivity in Great Britain, 2011–18: the sources of the London productivity advantage. Regional Studies
- Sunley, Peter, Evenhuis, Emil, Harris, Jack, Harris, Richard, Martin, Ron & Pike, Andy (2021). Renewing industrial regions? Advanced manufacturing and industrial policy in Britain. Regional Studies
- Harris, R. (2021). Experiences with Testing, Self-isolation and Vaccination in North East England during the COVID pandemic. Vaccines 9(7): 759.
- Harris, Richard I. D. (2021). The importance of spatial differences in total factor productivity: The example of New Zealand, 2001-2016. Regional Studies 55(7): 1209-1227.
- Harris, R, Krenz, A & Moffat, J (2021). The Effects of Absorptive Capacity on Innovation Performance: A Cross-Country Perspective. Journal of Common Market Studies 59(3): 589-607.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2021). The Geographic Dimension of Productivity in Great Britain, 2011-2018: the Sources of the London Productivity Advantage. Regional Studies
- Harris, R. I. D. (2020). The importance of frontier firms in total factor productivity in New Zealand, 2001-2016. New Zealand Economic Papers 54(3): 285-311.
- Zhong, Yonghong, I.D. Harris, Richard & Deng, Shuhong (2020). The spillover effects among offshore and onshore RMB exchange rate markets, RMB Hibor market. Quantitative Finance and Economics 4(2): 294-309.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2020). The Impact of Product Subsidies on Plant-level Total Factor Productivity in Britain, 1997-2014. Scottish Journal of Political Economy 67(4): 387-403.
- Harris, R. & Li, S. (2019). Government Assistance and Total Factor Productivity: Firm-level Evidence from China. Journal of Productivity Analysis 52(1-3): 1-27.
- Harris, R Moffat, J, Evenhuis, E, Martin, R Pike, A & Peter Sunley (2019). Does Spatial Proximity Raise Firm Productivity? Evidence from British Manufacturing. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society 12(3): 467-487.
- Harris, R & Moffat, J. (2019). The Decline of British Manufacturing, 1973 - 2012: The role of total factor productivity. National Institute Economic Review 247(1): R19-R31.
- Harris, R. & Yan, J. (2019). The Measurement of Absorptive Capacity from an Economics Perspective: Definition, Measurement and Importance. Journal of Economic Surveys 33(3): 729-756.
- Harris, R. & Le, T. (2019). Absorptive Capacity in New Zealand Firms: Measurement and Importance. Science and Public Policy 46(2): 290-309.
- Qu, T. & Harris, R. (2019). Does support from government help firms survive? Evidence on financial and political assistance in China, 1998–2007. Applied Economics 51(5): 528-541.
- Maté-Sánchez-Val, M. & Harris, R. (2018). The paradox of geographical proximity for innovators: A regional study of the Spanish agri-food sector. Land Use Policy 73: 458-467.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2017). The Sources of The Scotland-Rest Of The UK Productivity Gap: Implications For Policy. Regional Studies 51(9): 1297-1311.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2017). The UK productivity puzzle, 2008–2012: evidence using plant-level estimates of total factor productivity. Oxford Economic Papers 69(3): 529-549.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2016). Plant Closure in Britain since the Great Recession. Economics Letters 140: 27-30.
- Harris, R., McAdam, R. & Reid, R. (2016). The Effect of Business Improvement Methods on Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Peripheral Regions. Regional Studies 50(12): 2040-2054.
- Ding, S., Guariglia, A. & Harris, R. (2016). The determinants of productivity in Chinese large and medium-sized industrial firms, 1998-2007. Journal of Productivity Analysis 45(2): 131-155.
- Dai, M., Harris, R., Lu, Y. & Liu, H. (2016). Exports and firm survival: do trade regime and productivity matter? Applied Economics Letters 23(6): 457-460.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2015). Plant-level Determinants of Total Factor Productivity in Great Britain, 1997-2008. Journal of Productivity Analysis 44(1): 1-20.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2015). Total factor productivity growth in Local Enterprise Partnership regions in Britain, 1997-2008. Regional Studies 49(6): 1019-1041.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2015). The Impact of Exporting and Importing Goods and Services on Productivity in the UK. The World Economy 38(11): 1781-1794.
- Harris, R. & Mate, M. (2014). Differential empirical innovation factors for Spain and the UK. Research Policy 43(2): 451-463.
- Harris, R., Li, Q.C. & Moffat, J. (2013). The impact of higher education institution-firm knowledge links on establishment-level productivity in British regions. Manchester School 81(2): 143-162.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2013). The Direct Contribution of FDI to Productivity Growth in Britain, 1997-2008. The World Economy 36(6): 713-736.
- Harris, R. & Mcadam, R. (2013). Levels of innovation within SMEs in peripheral regions: the role of business improvement initiatives. Small Business and Enterprise Development 20(1): 102-124.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J. (2013). Intangible Assets, Absorbing Knowledge and its Impact on Firm Performance: Theory, Measurement and Policy Implications. Contemporary Social Science 8(3): 346-361.
- Harris, R. & Li, Q.C. (2012). Determinants of firm exit from exporting evidence for the UK. International journal of the economics of business 18(3): 381-397.
- Harris, R. & Li, Q.C. (2012). Export-market dynamics and firm-level productivity: evidence for UK tradable sectors. Industrial and Corporate Change 21(3): 649-670.
- Harris, R. & Moffat, J (2012). Is productivity higher in British cities? Journal of Regional Science 52(5): 762-786.
- Harris, R. & Trainor, M. (2011). A matching analysis of why some firms in peripheral regions undertake R&D whereas others do not. Economics of Innovation and New Technology 20(4): 367-385.
- Harris, R., Li, Q.C. & Moffat, J. (2011). The impact of higher education institution-firm knowledge links on firm-level productivity in Britain. Applied Economics Letters 18(13-15): 1243-1246.
- Harris, R. (2011). Models of regional growth: past, present and future. Journal of Economic Surveys 25(5): 913-951.
- Harris, R. & Li, Q.C. (2011). Participation in export markets and the role of R&D: establishment-level evidence from the UK Community Innovation Survey 2005. Applied Economics 43(23): 3007-3020.
- Harris, R., Moffat, J. & Kravtsova, V. (2011). In search of ‘W’. Spatial Economic Analysis 6(3): 249-270.
- Harris, R. & Li, Q.C. (2010). Export-market dynamics and the probability of firm closure: evidence for the United Kingdom. Scottish Journal of Political Economy 57(2): 145-168.
- Harris, R., Li, Q.C. & Trainor, M. (2009). Is a higher rate of R&D tax credit a panacea for low levels of R&D in disadvantaged regions? Research Policy 38(1): 192-205.
- Harris, R. & Li, Q.C. (2009). Exporting, R&D, and absorptive capacity in UK establishments. Oxford Economic Papers 61(1): 74-103.
- Harris, R. (2009). Estimates of Inter-Regional Differences in Production in the United Kingdom, 1968-78. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 44(3): 241-260.
- Harris, R. & Li, Q.C. (2008). Evaluating the contribution of exporting to UK productivity growth: some microeconomic evidence. World Economy 31(2): 212-235.
- Harris, R. & Trainor, M. (2007). Impact of government intervention on employment change and plant closure in Northern Ireland, 1983-97. Regional Studies 41(1): 51-63.
- Chapple, W., Morrison Paul, C.J. & Harris, R. (2005). Manufacturing and corporate environmental responsibility: cost implications of voluntary waste minimisation. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics 16(3): 347-373.
- Harris, R., Siegel, D.S. & Wright, M. (2005). Assessing the impact of management buyouts on economic efficiency: Plant-level evidence from the United Kingdom. Review of Economics and Statistics 87(1): 148-153.
- Harris, R. (2005). Economics of the Workplace: Special Issue Editorial. Scottish Journal of Political Economy 52(3): 323-343.
- Collins, A. & Harris, R. (2005). The impact of foreign ownership and efficiency on pollution abatement expenditure by chemical plants: Some UK evidence. Scottish Journal of Political Economy 52(5): 747-768.
- Harris, R. & Robinson, C. (2004). Productivity impacts and spillovers from foreign ownership in the United Kingdom. National Institute Economic Review 187(1): 58-75.
- Harris, R. & Robinson, C. (2004). Industrial policy in Great Britain and its effect on total factor productivity in manufacturing plants, 1990-98. Scottish Journal of Political Economy 51(4): 528-543.
- Reid, R. & Harris, R. (2002). The determinants of training in SMEs in Northern Ireland. Education and Training 44(8): 443-450.
- Harris, R. & Robinson, C. (2002). The effect of foreign acquisitions on total factor productivity: Plant-level evidence from UK manufacturing, 1987-1992. Review of Economics and Statistics 84(3): 562-568.
- Collins, A. & Harris, R. (2002). Does plant ownership affect the level of pollution abatement expenditure? Land Economics 78(2): 171-189.
- Harris, R. (2001). Comparing Regional Technical Efficiency in UK Manufacturing Plants: The Case of Northern Ireland 1974-1995. Regional Studies 35(6): 519-534.
- Harris, R. & Silverstone, B. (2001). Testing for asymmetry in Okun's law: a cross-country comparison. Economics Bulletin 5(2): 1-13.
- Harris, R. & Trainor, M. (1999). Manufacturing Industries in the UK: Was There Convergence During the 1968-1992 Period? Scottish Journal of Political Economy 46(5): 552-569.
- Harris, R. & Trainor, M. (1999). Manufacturing Industries in Northern Ireland and Great Britain: Was There Convergence During the 1949-1992 Period? Applied Economics 31(12): 1573-1580.
- Harris, R. & Liu, A. (1999). Verdoorn’s Law and Increasing Returns to Scale: Country Estimates Based on the Cointegration Approach. Applied Economics Letters 6(1): 29-33.
- Harris, R. & Judge, G. (1998). Small Sample Testing for Cointegration Using the Bootstrap Approach. Economics Letters 58(1): 31-37.
- Harris, R. (1997). Impact of the University of Portsmouth on the Local Economy. Urban Studies 34(4): 605-626.
- Harris, R. (1996). The Long-Run Determinants of Wages in New Zealand. New Zealand Economic Papers 30(2): 171-197.
- Harris, R. & Gibson, J. (1996). The Pattern of Plant Exit in a Declining Manufacturing Sector: The Case of New Zealand. Review of Economics and Statistics 78(3): 521-529.
- Harris, R. & Baeumont, P.B. (1995). Privatised Organisations and Industrial Relations Change. Policy Studies 16(4): 18-28.
- Harris, R. & Beaumont, P.B. (1995). Large, Multi-Establishment Companies and Opposition to Unions in Britain. Review of Employment Topics 3(1).
- Harris, R. & Beaumont, P.B. (1993). Diverse Changes in Bargaining Levels Revealed. IRS Employment Trends 548: 12-16.
- Harris, R. & Beaumont, P.B. (1988). High Technology Industries and Non-Union Establishments in Britain. Relations Industrielles 43(4): 829-846.
- Beaumont, P.B. & Harris, R. (1988). Sub-Systems of Industrial Relations: The Spatial Dimension in Britain. British Journal of Industrial Relations 26(3): 397-407.
- Harris, R. (1988). Demand for Factors of Production in the Northern Ireland Mechanical Engineering Industry. Economic and Social Review 19(4): 249-264.
- Harris, R. & Wass, V.J. (1987). The Structure of Collective Bargaining in Northern Ireland in 1973-84. Economic and Social Review
- Harris, R. (1985). Interrelated Demand for the Factors of Production in the UK Engineering Industry, 1968-81. Economic Journal 95(380): 1049-1068.
- Harris, R. (1983). Specification of Factor Demand Models and Shiftworking- An Extension to the CES Case. Scottish Journal of Political Economy 30(2): 170-174.
- Harris, R. (1982). Estimates of Rates of Return on Capital Employed for UK Regions, 1968-1978. Scottish Journal of Political Economy 29(3): 298-309.
Report
- Harris, R. (1999). Incidence of Imperfect Competition in UK Sectors and Regions. Reports to The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment. Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions.
- Harris, R. (1984). Regional Policy in Northern Ireland (in: European Community Policy in Northern Ireland - report for EC, Brussels).
Working Paper
Supervision students
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