IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/hal/journl/hal-00703639.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

Spatial and non-spatial proximity in inter-firm relations: An empirical analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Aguilera

    (LVMT - Laboratoire Ville, Mobilité, Transport - IFSTTAR - Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux - UPEM - Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech)

  • Virginie Lethiais

    (LUSSI - Département Logique des Usages, Sciences sociales et Sciences de l'Information - UEB - Université européenne de Bretagne - European University of Brittany - Télécom Bretagne - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], MARSOUIN - Môle Armoricain de Recherche sur la SOciété de l'information et des usages d'INternet - UR - Université de Rennes - UEB - Université européenne de Bretagne - European University of Brittany - UBS - Université de Bretagne Sud - ENSAI - Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Analyse de l'Information [Bruz] - UBO - Université de Brest - Télécom Bretagne - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - UR2 - Université de Rennes 2)

  • Alain Rallet

    (ADIS - Analyse des Dynamiques Industrielles et Sociales - UP11 - Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 - Département d'Economie)

Abstract

This article describes a variety of combinations with regard to proximities (spatial and non-spatial) in inter-firm relations, and identifies their main determinants. The data employed comes from a survey of more than 1400 small and medium-sized firms in the Brittany region (France), which describe the relationship with their principal partner. Apart from spatial distance between partners, it identifies three forms of non-spatial proximity - cognitive, technological and organisational - which are assessed in terms of their role in the relations. A typology of the relationships based on forms of proximity identifies a wide variety of configurations, which depend primarily on and the nature of the relationship, and especially on the need for coordination.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Aguilera & Virginie Lethiais & Alain Rallet, 2012. "Spatial and non-spatial proximity in inter-firm relations: An empirical analysis," Post-Print hal-00703639, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00703639
    DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2014.979137
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00703639
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://hal.science/hal-00703639/document
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1080/09654313.2014.979137?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Corinne Autant‐Bernard & Pascal Billand & David Frachisse & Nadine Massard, 2007. "Social distance versus spatial distance in R&D cooperation: Empirical evidence from European collaboration choices in micro and nanotechnologies," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 86(3), pages 495-519, August.
    2. Edward L. Glaeser & Giacomo A. M. Ponzetto, 2010. "Did the Death of Distance Hurt Detroit and Help New York?," NBER Chapters, in: Agglomeration Economics, pages 303-337, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Olivier Bouba-Olga & Michel Grossetti, 2008. "Socio-économie de proximité," Revue d'économie régionale et urbaine, Armand Colin, vol. 0(3), pages 311-328.
    4. Freel, Mark S., 2003. "Sectoral patterns of small firm innovation, networking and proximity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 751-770, May.
    5. Benner, Mary & Waldfogel, Joel, 2008. "Close to you? Bias and precision in patent-based measures of technological proximity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 1556-1567, October.
    6. Anne Aguilera & Virginie Lethiais, 2011. "Transmission des connaissances dans les relations de coopération inter-entreprises : TIC versus face à face," Revue d'économie régionale et urbaine, Armand Colin, vol. 0(2), pages 269-293.
    7. Marie Ferru, 2010. "La géographie des collaborations science-industrie : Poids et impact des modalités de mise en relation," Post-Print hal-00461249, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Virginie Lethiais & Anne Aguilera, 2014. "Les déterminants de la fréquence du face à face dans les relations interentreprises : une analyse empirique," Post-Print hal-01213993, HAL.
    2. Christian Omobhude & Shih-Hsin Chen, 2019. "The Roles and Measurements of Proximity in Sustained Technology Development: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-30, January.
    3. Kristina Jespersen & Damiana Rigamonti & Morten Berg Jensen & Rune Bysted, 2018. "Analysis of SMEs partner proximity preferences for process innovation," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 879-904, December.
    4. André Torre & Frederic Wallet Wallet, 2013. "The role of proximity relations in regional and territorial development processes," ERSA conference papers ersa13p792, European Regional Science Association.
    5. Johnston, Andrew & Huggins, Robert, 2018. "Partner selection and university-industry linkages: Assessing small firms' initial perceptions of the credibility of their partners," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 15-26.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Christian Omobhude & Shih-Hsin Chen, 2019. "The Roles and Measurements of Proximity in Sustained Technology Development: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-30, January.
    2. Ron Boschma & Pierre-Alexandre Balland & Mathijs de Vaan, 2014. "The formation of economic networks: a proximity approach," Chapters, in: André Torre & Frédéric Wallet (ed.), Regional Development and Proximity Relations, chapter 7, pages 243-266, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Bastien Bernela & Rachel Levy, 2014. "Modalities of coordination inside innovative collaborative projects: between face-to-face interactions and interactions at a distance [Modalités de coordination de projets collaboratifs pour l'inno," Working Papers halshs-01085016, HAL.
    4. Marie Ferru & Alain Rallet, 2016. "Proximity dynamics and the geography of innovation: diminishing returns or renewal?," Post-Print hal-02025328, HAL.
    5. Pierre-Alexandre Balland & Ron Boschma & Koen Frenken, 2015. "Proximity and Innovation: From Statics to Dynamics," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(6), pages 907-920, June.
    6. Anne Aguiléra & Virginie Lethiais, 2012. "Face à face, téléphone ou Internet : comment les PME comuniquent-elles entre elles ?," Post-Print hal-01851487, HAL.
    7. Virginie Lethiais & François Deltour & Sébastien Le Gall, 2015. "Le rôle des TIC et du territoire dans la capacité d'innovation des PME : une étude empirique," Post-Print hal-01288937, HAL.
    8. Bastien Bernela & Rachel Levy, 2017. "Collaboration networks within a French cluster: Do partners really interact with each other?," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 96(1), pages 115-138, March.
    9. H. Simon & N. Sick, 2016. "Technological distance measures: new perspectives on nearby and far away," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 107(3), pages 1299-1320, June.
    10. Francesco Bogliacino & Mario Pianta, 2016. "The Pavitt Taxonomy, revisited: patterns of innovation in manufacturing and services," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 33(2), pages 153-180, August.
    11. Jean-Marie Dubois & Laurence Lizé & Patrick Rousset, 2020. "Du recrutement à la formation : le renouvellement des compétences au cœur de la politique des entreprises du numérique," Post-Print hal-03023479, HAL.
    12. Boeker, Warren & Howard, Michael D. & Basu, Sandip & Sahaym, Arvin, 2021. "Interpersonal relationships, digital technologies, and innovation in entrepreneurial ventures," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 495-507.
    13. Akgun, A.A. & Baycan, T. & Nijkamp, P., 2011. "Creative capacity for sustainable development: A comparative analysis of European and Turkish rural regions," Serie Research Memoranda 0020, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    14. Cilem Selin Hazir & Corinne Autant-Bernard, 2012. "Using Affiliation Networks to Study the Determinants of Multilateral Research Cooperation Some empirical evidence from EU Framework Programs in biotechnology," Working Papers 1212, Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon St-Étienne (GATE Lyon St-Étienne), Université de Lyon.
    15. Forman, Chris & van Zeebroeck, Nicolas, 2019. "Digital technology adoption and knowledge flows within firms: Can the Internet overcome geographic and technological distance?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(8), pages 1-1.
    16. Florian Reinold & Manfred Paier & Manfred M. Fischer, 2012. "Joint knowledge generation in European R&D networks: Results from a discrete choice modelling perspective," ERSA conference papers ersa12p253, European Regional Science Association.
    17. Lorenzo Cassi & Anne Plunket, 2014. "Proximity, network formation and inventive performance: in search of the proximity paradox," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 53(2), pages 395-422, September.
    18. Battke, Benedikt & Schmidt, Tobias S. & Stollenwerk, Stephan & Hoffmann, Volker H., 2016. "Internal or external spillovers—Which kind of knowledge is more likely to flow within or across technologies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 27-41.
    19. Laurent R. Bergé, 2017. "Network proximity in the geography of research collaboration," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 96(4), pages 785-815, November.
    20. Frank Crowley & Jane Bourke, 2017. "The Influence Of Human Resource Management Systems On Innovation: Evidence From Irish Manufacturing And Service Firms," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(01), pages 1-28, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00703639. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: CCSD (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.