Abstract
Knowledge flow is among the most crucial social processes triggering innovation and regional development. Intercompany knowledge flow among Polish information technology (IT) service small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is studied in this paper. The main aim is to identify market and technological knowledge flow channels and their spatial scales. Based on information derived from computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATIs), in-depth interviews (IDIs) and data analysis (correspondence analysis and comparative study of spatial structures of knowledge flows), the geographical proximity paradox is tested. It is argued there is a need to move beyond the local buzz–global pipeline dichotomy. Knowledge is acquired at various spatial scales, which enhances the sustainability of the knowledge acquisition process and makes companies, regions and cities more resilient. The multiscalarity of knowledge flows is the most remarkable in the case of private contacts with colleagues from schools or previous workplaces. Spatially diversified study and job experiences of entrepreneurs goes along with return migration. In earlier Central and Eastern European studies, knowledge flow was often defined by the dominance of national (domestic) flow over weak global interactions. Trade relations, especially those occurring on an international scale, represent the most important channel of market and technological knowledge flow for the surveyed companies. The second most important channel is the employment of specialists, which is by far the most frequent and most important on an interregional scale. Due to the small size of surveyed companies, foreign specialists are used least frequently. Instead of using regional business events as a vehicle for knowledge flow, representatives of the IT service sector prefer to attend domestic meetings. In the case of Polish IT service SMEs, the paradox of geographical proximity is better described by the dominance of national over global knowledge flow.
Highlights
IntroductionDespite many organizational and institutional (including legal, intellectual property rights) barriers, information seems to be relatively freely shared between individuals and companies
Despite many organizational and institutional barriers, information seems to be relatively freely shared between individuals and companies
We follow the argument of Martin [5], who claims that the importance of knowledge flow for innovation output and local or regional development depends on the spatial scale of knowledge interactions
Summary
Despite many organizational and institutional (including legal, intellectual property rights) barriers, information seems to be relatively freely shared between individuals and companies This often leads to the conclusion that knowledge interactions (flows) and networks are not spatially bounded [1], which is shown by the “global pipelines” [2] linking various stakeholders around the globe. This thesis is usually put forward in the nexus between global and local knowledge interactions, and it may be summarized by the statement that firms located abroad are more willing to cooperate with an analyzed firm than their local counterparts This perspective has been questioned by Blažek et al [7], who argued that in non-capital cities, knowledge may be acquired from larger metropolitan areas. We look at crucial knowledge interaction channels among companies
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