Jalons pour une analyse dynamique des Proximités

The purpose of this article is to set the foundation of a dynamic analysis of proximity relations. The investigations conducted about the latter, as well as the resulting analyses are today detailed enough to help address the question of the inscription of the different types of proximity in time, and that of the progression and combination of the sequences of proximity. In the first section, we propose an adjustment of the notions of Geographical Proximity and of Organized Proximity and, based on this adjustment, we build a typology, which goes to the integration of Temporary Geographical Proximity. In the second section, using an example of a long distance collaboration between two firms, we show how integrating the phenomena of mobility and ubiquity enables us to develop a dynamic approach to Proximity. We then extend this approach to situations such as co-location, divergent trajectories, or bifurcations. This leads to our conclusion in which we make six propositions summarizing what we have achieved and providing the foundation for a dynamic approach to proximity relations. Throughout our paper, we use examples with a “stylized fact” value and, in order to simplify our discussion, we also use graphs to illustrate certain situations.