Editorial: Role of Proximity in Interaction and Performance: Conceptual and Empirical Challenges

PROXIMITY: CONCEPTUAL AND associated with business travel. Others almost exclude the possibility that effective transfer of tacit knowledge EMPIRICAL CHALLENGES can be accomplished at a geographical distance In scientific fields such as organization studies, innova(M , 2004). They claim that organizational and tion studies and regional studies, there is an awareness physical proximities are closely intertwined. As such, that proximity contributes to economic interaction and both dimensions of proximity are regarded as essential performance (e.g. A and W, 1999). for interactive learning and innovation. Proximity is often put forward as a sort of ‘umbrella’ These are some of the conceptual and empirical concept that consists of various dimensions, such as challenges that are addressed in this special issue. First, cognitive, physical, organizational and institutional conceptualizations of proximity are needed that proximity (T and G, 2000). Defined that account for its various dimensions and make it possible broadly, the notion of proximity draws attention to to distinguish these dimensions analytically. Assessing different bases for interaction between agents: ecothe importance of proximity for interaction and innovanomic agents can build on various dimensions of proxtion, a multidisciplinary approach is required, i.e. one imity when trying to coordinate their actions and needs to bring together different bodies of literature improve their economic performance. Even more from different scientific disciplines. It is hard to imagine interesting, it asks the question whether these bases for that researchers can state something useful on this interaction differ in different socio-economic contexts issue without knowing about how economic agents in space and time. coordinate their actions (building on insights from Economic geographers have embraced the concept industrial organization and institutional economics), of proximity because it might throw light on the how agents communicate and learn (cognitive question whether geographical proximity is a presciences), and how co-location might benefit local requisite for interactive learning and innovation (e.g. actors (geographical sciences). Without exception, the H , 2002). To what degree need actors operate contributors in this special issue have all adopted such and interact in actual (and lasting) physical proximity a multidisciplinary approach on proximity. in order to produce ‘proximity effects’, such as innovaAnother challenge for research is the need for more tion? In providing an answer to that key question, it dynamic approaches. Taking an evolutionary perspecproves relevant to account for the other dimensions of tive, one can account for the fact that proximities may proximity because these may serve as substitutes, but emerge, develop and disappear (B, 2004), and also as complements to geographical proximity. For that the different dimensions of proximity not only instance, there is an ongoing debate whether organizamight reinforce each other, but also might act as tional proximity might be a substitute for geographical substitutes over time. Instead, many studies on proxproximity as a means of transferring tacit knowledge. imity and innovation have been analysed from a statistic Some challenge the idea that geographical proximity perspective. However, a static approach is unlikely to matters almost automatically in this respect (B increase one’s understanding of whether clusters require and L , 2002). For instance, they emphasize the a whole range of different proximities to become selfimportance of ‘communities of practice’ that produce, sustaining, or just a few of them, and whether different acquire and diffuse knowledge through the use of combinations of proximity may be relevant in different stages of their development. digital technologies and ‘temporary’ physical proximity