Open AccessPhysical proximity and innovation collaboration of the Polish small and medium knowledge-intensive enterprisese
Author(s) -
Małgorzata Runiewicz-Wardyn
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
kwartalnik nauk o przedsiębiorstwie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2719-3276
pISSN - 1896-656X
DOI - 10.33119/knop.2021.61.4.1
Subject(s) - globalization , economic geography , process (computing) , knowledge management , innovation process , value (mathematics) , business , geographical distance , marketing , regional science , geography , political science , computer science , sociology , work in process , population , demography , machine learning , law , operating system
Globalisation, with its rising global value chains and the complexity of innovationprocesses change the role of spatial distance in innovation activities. In the classicalcluster theories geographical proximity is seen as a necessary condition to share knowledgeand to enhance innovation collaboration. The recent literature, however, challenge this approachby claiming that the role played by spatial distance diminishes. The aim of this paperis to provide better understanding of the role physical and geographical proximities inthe innovation collaboration process. The paper presents the up-to date results on the roleof physical proximity in innovation collaboration process of the Polish knowledge intensiveSMEs. The study findings support the idea that physical proximity matters for the innovationinteractions, yet the geographical proximity is not a prerequisite for such collaboration.Moreover, the innovative interlinkages of the surveyed companies have more individualcharacter, and are equally determined by the companies technological profiles andsocial-individual connections.