Dimensions of proximity and knowledge bases Innovation between spatial and non-spatial factors

Jannika Mattes (1)

1 CETRO - Centre for Europeanisation and Transnational Regulations Oldenburg

Innovations face the challenge of integrating knowledge from heterogeneous sources by establishing an appropriate level of proximity in its various forms. Proximity is thereby not a purely spatial phenomenon, but also includes organisational, institutional, social and cognitive dimensions. It can be shown that geographical and social proximity are auxiliary factors, whereas organisational, institutional and cognitive proximity act as critical enablers for learning. These dimensions can be connected to synthetic, analytical and symbolic knowledge bases. They thereby trigger a dynamic trade-off between various forms of proximity, whereby the assumed proximity form varies depending on the nature of the underlying knowledge base. Innovation hence takes place in a complex combination of spatial and non-spatial factors.

Mots clés: Social Sciences & Humanities

Domaines: Science politique

Jannika Mattes. Dimensions of proximity and knowledge bases Innovation between spatial and non-spatial factors. Regional Studies, 2011, pp.1. ⟨10.1080/00343404.2011.552493⟩. ⟨hal-00694718⟩