Mattes J. Dimensions of proximity and knowledge bases: innovation between spatial and non-spatial factors, Regional Studies. Innovations face the challenge of integrating knowledge from heterogeneous ...sources by establishing an appropriate level of proximity. Proximity is thereby not a purely spatial phenomenon, but also includes organizational, institutional, social and cognitive dimensions. Geographical and social proximity are thereby auxiliary factors, whereas organizational, institutional and cognitive proximity act as critical enablers for learning. These dimensions can be connected to synthetic, analytical and symbolic knowledge bases. They thereby trigger a dynamic trade-off between various forms of proximity, whereby the proximity form varies depending on the underlying knowledge base. Hence, innovation is a complex combination of spatial and non-spatial factors.
Mattes J. 空间毗邻性所涉及的层面及知识基础：基于空间与非空间因素的创新，区域研究。创新试图通过构建特定层面的空间毗邻性来应对整合异质性知识这一挑战。毗邻性因此不仅限于单纯的空间现象，同时还涉及到组织、制度、社会以及认知等多层面要素。在学习过程的形成中，地理以及社会毗邻性成为辅助要素，而组织、制度以及认知毗邻性发挥了关键性作用。上述各层面与综合性、分析性以及象征性的知识基础相关联，引发了基于不同知识基础的多种形式的毗邻性之间多样化的相互权衡过程。因此，创新是一个复杂的空间与非空间要素的综合体。
毗邻性 知识基础 学习 学习区域 地理毗邻性
Mattes J. Les dimensions des bases de proximité et de connaissance: l'innovation entre des facteurs géographiques et non-géographiques, Regional Studies. Les innovations font face au défi de l'intégration de la connaissance provenant des sources hétérogènes en établissant un niveau de proximité approprié. Il s'ensuit, alors, que la proximité n'est pas un phénomène purement géographique mais comprend également des dimensions organisationnelle, institutionnelle, sociale et cognitive. Les proximités géographique et sociale sont, donc, des facteurs auxiliaires, tandis que les proximités organisationnelle, institutionnelle et cognitive constituent des facteurs clés qui favorisent la connaissance. On peut lier ces dimensions à des bases de connaissance synthétique, analytique et symbolique. De cette façon, elles déclenchent un compromis dynamique entre divers types de proximité selon lesquels la proximité varie en fonction de la base de connaissance sous-jacente. Donc, l'innovation s'avère une combinaison complexe de facteurs géographiques et non-géographiques.
Proximité Base de connaissance Apprentissage Régions d'apprentissage Proximité géographique
Mattes J. Dimensionen von Nähe und Wissensbasen. Innovation zwischen räumlichen und nicht-räumlichen Faktoren, Regional Studies. Bei Innovationen ergibt sich das Problem, dass Wissen aus heterogenen Quellen durch Festlegung eines angemessenen Maßes an Nähe integriert werden muss. Nähe ist somit kein rein räumliches Phänomen, sondern umfasst auch organisationelle, institutionelle, soziale und kognitive Dimensionen. Geografische und soziale Nähe sind hierbei Hilfsfaktoren, während die organisationelle, institutionelle und kognitive Nähe als zentrale Faktoren zur Ermöglichung von Lernen wirken. Diese Dimensionen lassen sich mit synthetischen, analytischen und symbolischen Wissensbasen verknüpfen. Auf diese Weise lösen sie einen dynamischen Ausgleich zwischen verschiedenen Formen der Nähe aus, bei dem die Form der Nähe je nach der zugrundeliegenden Wissensbasis unterschiedlich ausfällt. Innovation ist also eine komplexe Kombination aus räumlichen und nicht-räumlichen Faktoren.
Nähe Wissensbasis Lernen Lernregionen Geografische Nähe
Mattes J. Dimensiones de proximidad y de las bases de conocimiento: innovación entre factores espaciales y no espaciales, Regional Studies. En el campo de las innovaciones surge el problema de integrar el conocimiento de fuentes heterogéneas estableciendo un nivel apropiado de proximidad. La proximidad no es, por tanto, un fenómeno puramente espacial sino que también incluye dimensiones organizativas, institucionales, sociales y cognitivas. Por consiguiente, las proximidades geográfica y social son factores auxiliares, mientras que las proximidades organizativa, institucional y cognitiva actúan como activadores fundamentales del aprendizaje. Estas dimensiones pueden conectarse a bases de conocimiento sintético, analítico y simbólico. En este sentido activan un intercambio dinámico entre las diferentes formas de proximidad de modo que la forma de proximidad varía en función de la base de conocimiento subyacente. Por ende, la innovación es una combinación compleja de factores espaciales y no espaciales.
Proximidad Base de conocimiento Aprendizaje Regiones de aprendizaje Proximidad geográfica
A vital ingredient for the success of interorganizational collaboration projects is strong personal relationships among the partners. Their formation is structured by geographical distances between ...partners. In the corresponding research, it is assumed that geographic distance inhibits face-to-face interactions, which are highly effective for tie-formation. However, findings from adjacent fields of research suggest that greater distances can also be conducive to the development of personal relations. In this paper, we unravel these contradictions. Empirically, we examine the development of 2132 personal ties between individuals from 20 government-funded interorganizational innovation projects using a mixed-method design. Statistical analysis of the data reveals a U-shaped correlation between geographical and social proximity. Contrary to common assumptions, large geographical distances are found to be particularly conducive to forming relationships. The qualitative data explains this finding by identifying and systematically relating five practices which are associated with specific distances and which are (differently) effective for tie-formation.
•Our approach captures regional heterogeneity within Technological Innovation Systems.•TIS framework is complemented with typologies of Regional Innovation Systems.•Identifies place-specific, ...innovation-related challenges and policy recommendations.•Conceptual paper with empirical illustrations from onshore wind energy.
Regional innovation policy must not only strive for economic competitiveness, but also push novel and more sustainable technological solutions. The complex and multi-scalar process of developing and diffusing new technologies is captured by the Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) framework. However, the approach neglects regional heterogeneity and lacks a nuanced and systematic understanding of how technological change plays out differently across places. We thus complement TIS with insights from the literature on Regional Innovation Systems (RIS), which offers manifold comparisons and typologies of institutional contexts for regional innovation. We argue that three ideal-typical configurations – localist-grassroots, interactive-networked, and globalist-dirigiste – exist at the intersection between a technological and specific regional innovation system. We discuss how these regional configurations contribute differently to knowledge creation and market formation within the overall TIS and point to the innovation-related challenges they are confronted with. We illustrate our conceptual arguments with a brief comparative case study on three regions in the TIS for onshore wind energy. Overall, this paper contributes to the literature on the geographies of innovation and sustainability transitions, introduces a framework for analyzing regional heterogeneity in TIS, and enables more fine-grained technology- and place-specific policy interventions at the regional level.
Abstract
This paper shows that collaborative innovation projects (CIPs) are an important arena for both knowledge generation and its incorporation into the industrial knowledge base (IKB). By ...differentiating between the cultural-cognitive, normative, and regulative dimensions of technology generation and diffusion, we describe interdependencies between CIPs and IKBs. On the basis of three vignettes from the German wind energy industry, six interrelations (translation, imitation, structuring devices, consolidation, strategic closure, and strategic inertia) are identified on how CIPs contribute to IKBs.
In this paper we analyze how the spatiality of interactions influences trust creation in multi-site corporate innovation projects. By drawing on insights from the discussion on initial and gradual ...trust in combination with contributions from the field of economic geography, we examine factors influencing the creation of trust and their dependence on face-to-face interaction. We develop a conceptual framework that links the spatial constitution of relationships to the creation of both resilient and fragile trust in project work. In doing so, we illustrate the complexity of initial and gradual trust creation and the interplay between personality traits, group-based similarities, situational and institutional factors, reputational inference, and personal interaction. The empirical insights are based on two qualitative case studies on specific innovation projects in multinational companies. Our findings illustrate the need to incorporate spatiality as a facilitating factor in the analysis of trust development.
In the context of regional energy transitions entrenched positions between involved actors are empirically observable but we lack a regionally specific theoretical foundation to grasp and explain ...them. The study suggests the concept of ‘Regional Transition Fields’ (RTF) which encompass all actors, activities and organisations in a region that share a concern for the energy transition. This approach allows consideration of both those actors that promote an energy transition towards more sustainable energy sources and those that oppose it as part of the same field. The study argues that, despite the apparent agreement on the issue at stake, conflicts and tensions arise within that field concerning the rules, regulations, and common reference frames against which behaviours are judged. The framework posits that processes of adaptation and delimitation continually re-shape the structure of the field. The framework is applied to a qualitative in-depth case study of Northern Hesse in Germany. Based on a content analysis of semi-structured interviews the study offers evidence of the existence of a regional transition field, briefly introduces the key actors and actor constellations in this field, and illustrates the regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive dimensions of both adaptation and delimitation processes in this case. The study thus contributes a conceptual framework on how institutionalisation occurs in fields and thereby a more nuanced understanding of the emergence of entrenched positions in regional transition fields, which may inform future studies of regional energy transitions.
•We introduce the concept of regional transition fields (RTF).•Regional transitions entail adaptation and delimitation dynamics.•These occur in the regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive dimension.•Entrenched positions result from stabilisation of institutional contradictions.•We analyze regional transition fields empirically in Northern Hesse in Germany.
The prevalent theories in the debate on sustainability transitions have been criticised for not sufficiently addressing energy change processes at the local level. This paper aims to enhance our ...understanding of local energy reorganisation processes. Drawing on the Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) approach, we argue that local development dynamics result from the interaction of various subsystems: science, politics, public administration, industry, finance, intermediaries and civil society. The analysis of the involved subsystems and their interaction shows how energy transitions are shaped by different individual and organisational actors as well as institutions on the local level. Empirical evidence from case studies on the German cities of Emden and Bottrop illustrates our theoretical conceptualisation of energy transitions. We conclude by presenting characteristic interaction patterns for energy transition drawn from the two cases.
•We highlight the importance of spatial and regional aspects for transitions.•We draw upon regional innovation systems’ subsystems to describe energy transitions.•We show how actors and institutions interact in and coordinate transition processes.•We present evidence from two small-scale regions in Germany: Emden and Bottrop.
Proximity and power in collaborative innovation projects. Regional Studies. The proximity literature has so far paid little attention to power relations in collaborative innovation projects. This ...paper draws on contributions from international business to examine if power constellations between collaborators in innovation projects influence the effects of proximity. An analysis of two cases of collaborations between headquarters and subsidiaries of multinational companies highlights that specific power constellations indeed influence the effects of proximity. While some forms of proximity allow subsidiary-specific capabilities to diffuse throughout the organization and pose a threat to the powerful subsidiary, the weaker subsidiary considers proximity as a possibility to learn from the headquarters.
Digital technologies such as smart grids are associated with new challenges for organizations as both technological and social heterogeneity increase. ICT standards play a crucial role in coping with ...this growing heterogeneity. However, we have little insight into precisely how ICT standards unfold in innovation projects. Compared to ‘ordinary’ standards, it would be expected that they are more pervasive and binding. However, ICT standards also need to be adopted into formal, corporate rules and be further interpreted and drawn upon in informal routines. This actual implementation, the dealing with inconsistencies and contradictions and if the ICT standard is being conceived as binding, is revealed in day-to-day practices. Conceptually, we differentiate between the formal and informal adoption of the standard and for both cases consider the dimensions
,
and
. We empirically investigate the adoption of one ICT standard, the Use Case Methodology (UCM), in a qualitative case study of a smart grid project. Our findings illustrate how the formal implementation of the UCM succeeds while the informal reliance upon this standard is far less pronounced. In this way, ICT standards differ less from ‘ordinary’ standards than might have been expected.
•Analysing ambidexterity at a sub-organisational level within specific projects.•Deriving indicators for grasping formalisation and flexibilisation in innovation.•Combining insights from debate on ...ambidexterity and organisational studies.•Empirical in-depth illustration of practical coping with the outlined tension.
A classic problem in organising corporate innovation projects is the tension between formalisation and flexibilisation. Connecting this discussion to the younger debate on ambidexterity, this paper asks how organisations balance informal and formal, flexible and inflexible ways of working in their innovation projects. It derives a way to break down formalisation and flexibilisation into the dimensions of power, communication and trust and connects them to learning. By unhinging formalisation and flexibilisation from the organisational level and looking at them at the small-scale level of specific projects and functional arenas instead, the paper sheds new light onto the various fashions in which formalisation and flexibilisation do not contradict, but complement each other. An empirical account based on 100 qualitative expert interviews illustrates this.
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