Changing locus of innovation: a micro-process approach on the dynamics of proximity

ABSTRACT

The literature on the geography of innovation suffers from a lack of attention to temporal aspects of proximity in innovation processes. Consequently, an emerging literature on knowledge-creation processes has appeared to address this shortcoming. This paper adopts this perspective and develops an integrated framework for understanding knowledge creation and proximity dynamics across phases of the innovation process (idea generation, problem-solving and implementation). Geographical proximity plays a role in all stages of the innovation process, but its form varies. Three innovation biographies from the Danish wind power industry serve as principal examples of this integrated framework. It is demonstrated that innovation processes can be multilocational, meaning innovative activities are stretched in space and may take place at multiple sites.

KEYWORDS:

• Multilocational innovation processes
• industry-specific knowledge
• dynamics of proximity
• wind power industry
• innovation biography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Anne Nygaard Tanner http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3145-908X

Additional information

Funding

This research was conducted as part of the project: EIS – Strategic Research Alliance for Energy Innovation Systems and their dynamics. EIS is funded by the Danish Council for Strategic Research, the Programme Commission on Sustainable Energy and Environment, and by the participating research institutions.