search query: @indexterm information technology / total: 1908
reference: 32 / 1908
| Author: | Petruzzelli, A.M. Albino, V. Carbonara, N. |
| Title: | External knowledge sources and proximity |
| Journal: | Journal of Knowledge Management
2009 : VOL. 13:5, p. 301-318 |
| Index terms: | knowledge information technology communication France Italy |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | The study aims to analyze how technology districts reach and acquire external competencies and capabilities with the help of organizational and cognitive proximity, allowing districts to alter their geographical boundaries and become technology clusters. Two actual technology districts are analyzed, namely Castel Romano and Toulouse, in order to demonstrate the process. Based on the empirical findings, two main propositions are made, the first referring to the negative relationship between the geographical distance to the district's actors and the use of organizational proximity. The second proposition indicates the positive relationship between the distance to the district's actors and the use of cognitive proximity. It appears particularly crucial to exploit all the three dimensions of proximity in order to assure openness and sustain innovativeness and competitiveness. Discussing policy implications, the local governments should focus on helping and promoting the openness of technology districts and forming technology clusters. With this aim, actions should be also directed to sustaining single local firms being part of a technology cluster but not of a technology district. By increasing their competitiveness, they may generate local positive externalities, fostering the diffusion and knowledge sharing in the area and acting as knowledge gatekeepers for the area. |
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