Proximity and Innovation: From Statics to Dynamics

Abstract

Balland P.-A., Boschma R. and Frenken K. Proximity and innovation: from statics to dynamics, Regional Studies. Despite theoretical and empirical advances, the proximity framework has remained essentially static. A dynamic extension of the proximity framework is proposed that accounts for co-evolutionary dynamics between knowledge networking and proximity. For each proximity dimension, how proximities might increase over time as a result of past knowledge ties is described. These dynamics are captured through the processes of learning (cognitive proximity), integration (organizational proximity), decoupling (social proximity), institutionalization (institutional proximity), and agglomeration (geographical proximity). The paper ends with a discussion of several avenues for future research on the dynamics of knowledge networking and proximity.

Balland P.-A., Boschma R. and Frenken K. 临近性与创新：从静态到动态，区域研究。儘管理论与经验已有所进展，但临近性的架构仍然维持本质上的静态。本文提出临近性架构的动态延伸，以说明知识网络建立与临近性之间共同演化的动态。本文将描绘，对临近性的每个面向而言，过去的知识联繫如何可能导致临近性的增加。本文并将透过学习（认知临近性）、整合（组织临近性）、脱离（社会临近性）、制度化（制度临近性）以及聚集（地理临近性）等过程，捕捉上述的动态。文末将探讨未来研究知识网络建立与临近性动态的几个方向。

Balland P.-A., Boschma R. et Frenken K. La proximité et l'innovation: de la statique à la dynamique, Regional Studies. En dépit des progrès théoriques et empiriques, le cadre de proximité est resté dans une large mesure statique. On propose une extension dynamique du cadre de proximité qui tient compte des dynamiques coévolutionnaires entre la mise en réseaux des connaissances et la proximité. On présente pour chaque dimension de proximité comment les proximités pourraient augmenter au fil des années à cause des liens de connaissances antérieurs. Ces dynamiques sont saisies au moyen des processus d'apprentissage (proximité cognitive), d'intégration (proximité organisationnelle), de découplage (proximité sociale), d'institutionnalisation (proximité institutionnelle), et d'agglomération (proximité géographique). En conclusion, cet article examine plusieurs pistes de recherche future sur la dynamique de la mise en réseaux des connaissances et de la proximité.

Balland P.-A., Boschma R. und Frenken K. Nähe und Innovation: von der Statik zur Dynamik, Regional Studies. Trotz theoretischer und empirischer Fortschritte ist der Rahmen der Nähe im Wesentlichen statisch geblieben. Wir schlagen eine dynamische Erweiterung des Näherahmens vor, bei der die koevolutionäre Dynamik zwischen Wissensnetzwerken und Nähe berücksichtigt wird. Für jede Dimension der Nähe wird beschrieben, wie die Nähen im Laufe der Zeit aufgrund früherer Wissensverknüpfungen zunehmen können. Diese Dynamiken werden durch die Prozesse des Lernens (kognitive Nähe), der Integration (organisationelle Nähe), Entkopplung (soziale Nähe), Institutionalisierung (institutionelle Nähe) und Agglomeration (geografische Nähe) erfasst. Der Beitrag endet mit einer Erörterung verschiedener Richtungen in der künftigen Erforschung der Dynamik von Wissensnetzwerken und Nähe.

Balland P.-A., Boschma R. y Frenken K. Proximidad e innovación: de estáticas a dinámicas, Regional Studies. Pese a los avances teóricos y empíricos, el marco de proximidad ha permanecido básicamente estático. Proponemos una extensión dinámica del marco de proximidad que responde a las dinámicas coevolutivas entre las redes de conocimiento y la proximidad. Para cada dimensión de proximidad, describimos cómo las proximidades podrían aumentar con el tiempo como resultado de los vínculos pasados del conocimiento. Estas dinámicas se captan mediante los procesos de aprendizaje (proximidad cognitiva), integración (proximidad organizativa), disociación (proximidad social), institucionalización (proximidad institucional), y aglomeración (proximidad geográfica). Concluimos este artículo con un debate sobre las diferentes vías para la futura investigación de las dinámicas de las redes del conocimiento y la proximidad.

• Proximity
• Innovation
• Knowledge networks
• Proximity dynamics
• Geographical proximity

• 临近性
• 创新
• 知识网络
• 临近性动态
• 地理临近性

• Proximité
• Innovation
• Réseaux de connaissances
• Dynamiques de proximité
• Proximité geographique

• Nähe
• Innovation
• Wissensnetzwerke
• Dynamik der Nähe
• Geografische Nähe

• Proximidad
• Innovación
• Redes de conocimiento
• Dinámicas de proximidad
• Proximidad geográfica

JEL classifications:

• B52
• R10
• R11

Notes

1. On the various approaches within the proximity framework, see Carrincazeaux et al. (2008) and Balland et al. (2013a).

2. Noticeable exceptions are the conceptual paper on dynamic proximities by Menzel (2013) and the empirical study on co-evolution of proximities by Broekel (2012).

3. This paper focuses essentially on knowledge networks. But more generally, understanding whether similarity leads to network ties (selection) or whether network ties lead to similarity (influence) is a key question for network science (van der Leij, 2011). Empirically, separating selection and influence mechanisms is difficult and it requires specific statistical models for network dynamics (Snijders et al., 2010; Steglich et al., 2010).

4. Strictly speaking, the authors show that the negative effect of geographical distance of co-authorship is increasing over time.

5. For in-depth analyses of personal networks formation, see Grossetti and Bès (2001) and Grossetti (2005).

6. This dynamic approach of institutional proximity lies at the heart of the French proximity school (Bellet et al., 1993; Kirat and Lung, 1999). Since the very existence of the French proximity school, the dynamic construction of institutional proximity has been a central idea, that contributed to the name-giving of the French group as ‘proximity dynamics’.

7. In this context the construction of a common European Research Area is a telling example and its continuing construction is informed by experiences and practices in the past (Banchoff, 2002).

8. Using data on 13 000 technology agreements and 5000 parent companies from the MERIT-CATI database, Hagedoorn and Sadowski (1999) find little empirical evidence to support this idea.

9. This paper mainly focuses on the influence of direct ties between actors. But proximity dynamics can also emerge out of indirect ties. This network configuration is known as triadic closure for network selection and it can explain the emergence of social and organizational ties, but it can also be extended to other social influence mechanisms and explain cognitive or institutional convergence. This is, for instance, the case when two (unconnected) actors become more cognitively proximate because they learn from the same third actor (to which they are both directly connected). Therefore, the influence of local network structures such as triadic configurations can be integrated in the dynamic framework. The influence of global network structures, such as density, connectivity or small-world topologies, is however more complex and would probably require a different approach.