Organizational Proximity Research Articles

Are Non-Special Dimensions of Proximity in Local Clusters Related? An Analysis of 99 European Clusters

The destructive effects of industries on the environment are the most crucial reason for the need for firms’ proximity to developing innovative activities such as corporate sustainability. However, most prior efforts have focused on the role of different types of proximity in cluster performances, not the relationship among them. Therefore, this study intends to go one step back, discuss the inter-relationships between different types of proximity, and propose them in a conceptual model as the antecedents of corporate sustainability. These factors are known as the non-specific dimensions of proximity within local clusters: cognitive, organisational, institutional, and social, which received less attention as a theoretical model. To this end, this study invited all members of the European Cluster Cooperation Platform (ECCP) to participate. Among some 1080 European cluster organisations, 113 organisations participated, of which 99 of them were usable for this research. Contrary to existing conceptual theories, the results revealed no strong evidence for significant interrelations among all dimensions of non-specific proximity. Moreover, organisational proximity does not strongly relate to cognitive and social proximities, and there is no meaningful relationship between institutional and social proximities.

SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY AND THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF THE TEHRAN METROPOLIS UNDER INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS

This paper is aimed to analyse the existing relationships and controlling functions between ecological footprint and international sanction in case of Teheran city. The analysis begins questioning whether the sustainability of health on our common planet is rightly treated with oblivion to the pernicious consequences from the economic blockade of one country by the global community. The analytic method used is based on developing a conceptual and theoretical framework of reference to review the literature, interviews on the main variables of the research: urban policy, transport system, international sanctions and multi scale governance. It is concluded that while that the existence of more holistic facilitating the development of the rail transport system, the governance and stakeholders put a lot of obstacles and play at a different scale. The analysis suggests that a holistic approach is required to build urban mobility based on decreasing of ecological footprint by addressing a fuller range of degradation public health, urban politicisation, to process the policy of the multi-scale governance of city, to create the governance that implies geographical proximity, organisational proximity and institutional proximity of stakeholders.

Coworking Spaces and Well-Being: An Empirical Investigation of Coworkers in Italy

ABSTRACT In the era of rising globalization, technological advancements (e.g., ICT), and the aftermath of the 2008 global economic crisis, working is becoming less dependent on distance, time, and space. With the increasing number of freelance and independent workers, more flexible working styles are emerging. The present paper aims to study the effect of coworking spaces (CSs) on coworkers’ (CWs) level of well-being and life satisfaction; in other words, to explore the factors that may affect their well-being at such flexible, collaborative workplaces. To conduct an empirical study, we sent an online questionnaire to the CWs working in 549 CSs in Italy; 324 coworkers responded to the survey (as of January 2018). By means of descriptive statistics and econometric analyses, the paper discusses some of the main factors affecting CWs’ perceived well-being: social proximity and sense of community (trust and new friendship), organizational proximity, and the positive effects of CSs on the urban context; on the other hand, gender, educational level, age and revenues growth do not show any impact. The paper concludes by suggesting possible policy implications and introducing further research lines.

Dimensions of Proximity: An Actionable Framework to Better Understand Integrated Practices in Cancer Networks.

Introduction:This study empirically explores how dimensions of proximity that support integrated care emerge from deliberate actions within a cancer network in Quebec (Canada).Methods:We conduct a supplementary analysis of qualitative data from a primary multi-case study focused on collaborative governance and cancer care integration. Data from semi-structured interviews, documents and observation are analysed to find out how relationships take shape through actions that create different dimensions of proximity, and how these contribute to integrated practices.Results:Deliberate actions at different levels within the network create dimensions of proximity. The creation of committees and communities of practice at national and local level establish geographic proximity. Relational proximity among actors emerges to different degrees in these venues. Cognitive proximity is generated by consistent promotion of the national cancer plan and person-centred care. The priority of cancer care at policy level and prescription of common standards enhance organizational proximity. Synergy between dimensions of proximity appears essential to the emergence of integrated practices. Insufficient efforts to create technological and institutional proximity contribute to inconsistent clinical and professional integration.Conclusion:The concept of proximity appears a promising complement to existing models of integration, especially in complex contexts such as cancer networks.HighlightsDeliberate actions at different levels within the cancer network create a number of dimensions of proximityGeographic proximity, be it objective or subjective, facilitates relational, cognitive and institutional proximityA national cancer plan sustained by shared leadership enhances organizational proximity, facilitating integrated practicesActivation of different dimensions of proximity among network actors likely underpins and sustains functional, normative and organizational integrationInsufficient efforts to create technological and institutional proximity contribute to inconsistent clinical and professional integrationThe multiple dimensions of proximity appear a promising complement to existing models of integration, especially in complex contexts such as cancer networks.

Financial Ambidexterity of the Immigrant Family Businesses: A Conceptual Perspective (WITHDRAWN)

Based on the multi-contextual nature of immigrant entrepreneurship, this paper theoretically introduces and discusses the ambidextrous ability of the IFBs’ owners overcoming the financing barriers in host countries. Namely, discussing the behavioral ability of the immigrant entrepreneurs in flexibly switching their exploration and exploitation for formal and informal financing between the multiple contexts where they are embedded. The paper build on a synthesis of different theoretical notions in constructing the term of ‘financial ambidexterity of IFBs’, namely, organized proximity, boundary work, and behavioral complexity. This theoretical synthesis is thoroughly discussed within the immigrant entrepreneurship framework. The paper proposes four mechanisms to derive the IFBs’ financial ambidexterity, and argues for boundary work and behavioral complexity as the critical drivers for ambidexterity. The paper provides four detailed models that illustrate each proposed mechanism, in addition to an overall model that gives a comprehensive view of the different phases of accumulating the IFBs’ financial ambidexterity. The paper mainly contributes to the literatures on family business and immigrant entrepreneurship by proposing how IFBs survive the financing barriers they face in host countries. The paper tries to advance the understanding about entrepreneurial financing using social, and behavioral perspectives like organized proximity, behavioral complexity, boundary work, and behavioral complexity. The ultimate theoretical construct of this paper explains a behavioral manifestation, entitled, ‘financial ambidexterity’ of the IFB owners in overcoming financing barriers in host countries.

‘Follow sourcing’ and the transplantation and localization of Korean electronics corporations in northern Vietnam

ABSTRACT This study examines the transplantation of clusters through ‘follow sourcing’ of Korean electronics industry transnational corporations (TNCs), their suppliers and individual actors in northern Vietnam, and the ways in which geographical and organizational proximity generate spillovers to local enterprises. Advanced manufacturing facilities, relationships with suppliers and training programmes give rise to direct and indirect learning and improvements in skills and technological capabilities. Transplanted clusters via follow sourcing and localization can serve as an intermediate stage between an externally controlled satellite cluster and an advanced cluster and they afford another latecomer development path to the Chinese model of ‘obligated embeddedness’.

Firm Heterogeneities, Multi-Dimensional Proximities, and Systematic Dynamics of M&A Partnering: Evidences from Transitional China

Corporate investment strategies and decision-making processes are crucial for understanding the operation and evolution of socioeconomic systems. Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have been the main mode of corporate investment, growth, and upgrading, deeply affecting corporate reorganization, regional industrial restructuring, and economic globalization. By building a database including 5543 M&A partnerings and 1.89 million M&A non-partnerings, this study aims to uncover the systematic dynamics of M&A partnering in regional China during different phases since the mid-1990s, with particular attention given to the effects of firm heterogeneities and multi-dimensional proximities. Although geographical, cognitive, organizational, and institutional proximity dimensions are significantly influential for M&A partnering, we find that the effects of multi-dimensional proximities differ across M&A types and involving firms. Specifically, organizational proximity matters more for large- and medium-sized acquirers, while institutional proximity plays a more vital role in the acquisition target selection of private-owned and small-sized acquirers. Cognitive proximity measured by industrial and technical relatedness is more crucial for horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate M&As that are tightly associated with the corporate product, technical, and functional upgrading. The results indicate that the benefits of cognitive proximity may offset the risks and costs resulting from long-distance M&As, demonstrating the interactive dynamics between proximity dimensions. Our findings suggest that firm heterogeneities, proximity dynamics, and contextual factors should be focused on when explaining the investment decision-making processes of individual corporations in emerging and transitional economies such as China.

Business Model Adaptation to the COVID-19 Crisis: Strategic Response of the Spanish Cultural and Creative Firms

Surviving in a humanitarian disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic is a big challenge for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in all industries. Furthermore, cultural and creative firms face additional challenges. Many of those firms have survived the effects of the pandemic by proposing redesigned business models that have brought new added value in response to environmental hostility; they have strategically responded to the crises by adapting their business model. According to the extant literature, in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environments, dynamic capabilities are developed to detect and seize new opportunities and reconfigure the company’s assets. However, in very hostile environments, such as the COVID-19 crisis, the dynamic capabilities approach fails to explain the firm owners’ strategic decisions. A cross-case comparative analysis of ten micro and small firms in Spain’s cultural and creative industries has been conducted to examine how enterprises adapted to the COVID-19 crisis and the different organizational capabilities they implemented. This work proposes a new framework that postulates that business model adaptation is better understood under the emergency management theory and improvisational capability, instead of only under the dynamic capabilities lens. Organizational proximity in the diffusion of innovations under the open innovation paradigm is also critical to understanding the business model adaptation. From an academic perspective, this article enriches the current understanding of business model asdaptation by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in very hostile environments. The new framework intends to offer managers concrete guidelines about systematically adapting their business models in hostile situations.

University satellite institutes as exogenous facilitators of technology transfer ecosystem development

Universities can contribute to knowledge-based regional development not only in their home region but also in other regions. In a number of countries, universities have established university satellite institutes in additional (host) regions to promote research and technology transfer there. We investigate the role of university satellite institutes in the industrial development of regions, which, albeit not economically marginal, suffer from a weak knowledge infrastructure, limited absorptive capacities for external knowledge in the business sector and hence a low degree of attractiveness for non-local knowledge actors. Despite policy recommendations in favor of establishing satellite institutes, there has only been limited empirical research on this phenomenon, particularly concerning technology transfer ecosystem development. To fill this gap, we provide an exploratory case study of university satellite institutes in the Pearl River Delta of China’s Guangdong province. We show how such institutes can be successful in facilitating the development of their host region’s technology transfer ecosystems and demonstrate why they should be conceptually included in our existing understanding of third mission activities. Our research centers on the interplay of geographical proximity and non-spatial, organized proximity in the development of interregional knowledge bridges and entrepreneurial opportunities. We argue that the university’s geographical proximity is only successful if the satellite institute, by facilitating organized proximity, promotes the geographical proximity of further knowledge actors, hereby propelling ecosystem development.

Open innovation in science: assessing the formation and function of SME-university collaborations through the proximity matrix

ABSTRACT As university-industry collaboration is regarded as an important practice within the open innovation in Science (OIS) framework, this paper assesses the formation and function of these collaborations using the ‘proximity matrix’, evaluating similarities between actors through evaluating their closeness in terms of distance, network membership, knowledge base and working practices. Through presenting analysis of 22 in-depth interviews with SMEs, the findings outline that the process of SME-university collaboration is driven by the ability of the firms to both access (through social proximity) and understand (through technological and organisational proximity) their university partners. Furthermore, the results also suggest distinct roles for each proximity.

Regional government R&D investment and innovation performance: the moderating effect of geographical and organizational proximities

PurposeThis study aims to measure the moderating effect of geographical and organizational proximity by focusing on readily available Chinese regional economic data over a five-year period.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used multilevel regression analysis to analyze the relationship.FindingsResults show that increasing government investment in research and development (R&D) can improve innovation performance during this period, organizational proximity and geographic proximity have a positive moderate effect on the relationship between R&D investment and Innovation performance.Originality/valueThis study enriches the existing theories on government innovation input and output from the perspective of regional differences and provides meaningful guidance for current Chinese regional innovation policies.

Encouraging teamwork and innovative practices by creating proximity: A qualitative study of continuous improvements in the Quebec Cancer Network.

e13509 Background: Quality cancer care relies on each profession keeping up with advances and best practices and spreading these across a complex multi-team system1. It requires enabling multiple providers and people living with cancer to bridge the distance between them and complement each other's contributions. The proximity framework2 provides a valuable way to understand conditions that increase the likelihood of knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration. Methods: A qualitative study design of the Quebec Cancer Network was undertaken, with data collected from interviews with policymakers, managers, providers and users (N=22), observation of national and local level meetings (N=28) and document review. Interpretive Description using content analysis sought to identify actions that created proximity dimensions and the perceived influence these had on the development and spread of new approaches. Results: Deliberate actions taken within the network created different dimensions of proximity that impacted teamwork. Prescriptions from network leadership – including consistent promotion of the National cancer plan, patient participation in governance structures, shared quality indicators, and establishment of multidisciplinary committees at local level, created cognitive proximity: a shared mental model emphasizing patient-centred care and organizational proximity: shared standards across the network. Support for professional communities of practice created relational and institutional proximity, increasing trust and knowledge sharing. Local committees enhanced relational and cognitive proximity as providers came to appreciate and optimize each other's contribution to care. Conclusions: The combination of proximity dimensions created through communities of practice and prescriptions from the national level help develop and spread improvements that are tailored to - and take advantage of - networked team-based cancer care delivery. This reflects a balanced proximity where communities of practice pursue new knowledge and innovative practices that can be introduced in local committees to see how it fits with other contributions to solving a problem, thereby promoting recognition of interdependency within and between teams. Synergy between actions is essential to enhancing proximity. The proximity framework offers a complementary perspective to better understand opportunities for improving models of care.

Redes de interação na área da saúde humana

O artigo objetiva caracterizar as redes de interação entre atores - grupos de pesquisa e organizações - da área da saúde humana no Rio Grande do Sul. As redes foram elaboradas pelo método da Social Network Analysis com dados do DGP/CNPq para os anos de 2010, 2014 e 2016. Verificou-se que tanto o número de grupos de pesquisa quanto das interações cresceram ao longo desse período. A maioria dos grupos de pesquisa, no entanto, interage com apenas um parceiro. Logo, mais atores ingressam nas redes ao longo do tempo, mas pouco interagem entre si. Essa característica identificada é típica de sistemas inovativos de países emergentes, cujas interações são escassas. Existem semelhanças entre as redes dos anos analisados (como a relevância de alguns atores centrais e das empresas como atores periféricos), mas também há aspectos que as diferenciam (as universidades se destacam como parceiras no período mais recente). No que diz respeito às proximidades, as proximidades geográficas e organizacionais são destacadas como conceitos importantes para explicar as interações entre os diferentes atores.

So far and yet so near: The emerging characteristics, forms and configurations of organizational proximity in the context of digitalization

BACKGROUND: The current pandemic crisis evidences the importance of questioning and reconsidering the evolution of organizational proximity and the crucial role of digitalization in the emergence of new characteristics, forms and configurations of organizational proximity. OBJECTIVE: This article presents a conceptual study aimed at analyzing the evolution of organizational proximity in the context of digitalization. METHODS: Adopting a systemic-cognitive approach inspired by existing studies on management cognition and the biology of cognition, this article first presents an analytical review of existing research in organizational studies and proposes a taxonomy of proximity based on the forms and characteristics identified in the organizational context. Second, it introduces the notion of a proximity unit, based on which a conceptual framework for analyzing organizational proximity is conceived. RESULTS: Based on the proposed framework, this article analyzes the new characteristics and forms of organizational proximity and identifies possible configurations of organizational proximity by pointing out the emergence of substituted proximity propelled by digitalization and formulating six propositions. CONCLUSIONS: The article ends by arguing that it is important for organizations to conceive a composite proximity strategy by taking into account the effect of substituted proximity, driven by digitalization, in the configuration of organizational proximity.

The Evolution and Determinants of Interorganizational Coinvention Networks in New Energy Vehicles: Evidence from Shenzhen, China

With the increasing attention to climate change, air pollution, and related public health issues, China’s new energy vehicles (NEVs) industry has developed rapidly. However, few studies investigated the evolution of interorganizational collaborative innovation networks in the sector domain of NEVs and the influence of different drivers on the establishment of innovation relationships. In this context, this paper uses the joint invention patent of Shenzhen, a low‐carbon pilot city of China, to investigate the dynamics of network influencing factors. The social network analysis shows that the scale of coinvention network of NEVs is constantly increasing, which is featured with diversified cooperative entities, and collaboration depth (i.e., the intensity of the interactions with these partners) is also expanding. The empirical results from the Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) demonstrate that, with the deepening of collaborative innovation, technological upgrading caused by knowledge exchange makes organizations in the network more inclined to cognitive proximity and less dependent on geographical proximity. In addition, organizational proximity and triadic closure contribute positively to the collaborative network, with their relevance remaining nearly the same, while the impeding effect of cultural/language difference is slightly decreasing with time.

The dynamics of inter-firm innovation networks: The case of the photovoltaic industry in China

The innovation network is the frontier of economic geography, although the drivers and the underlying mechanism of the evolution of this innovation network are not clear. This study employs the Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) and Stochastic Actor-Oriented Model (SAOM) to analyse the evolution of the drivers and the formation of the innovation network in China's photovoltaic industry, as a case study. Results show that, organizational proximity plays a direct and important role, and innovative actors tend to cooperate with actors in the same group. However, geographic proximity is not the most important influencing factor but indirectly affects the evolution of the innovation network through other proximity (organizational and cognizant). When a distance threshold of 100 km is used, organizational proximity plays a more important role as the geographic distance increases.

Inclusion in global virtual teams: Exploring non-spatial proximity and knowledge sharing on innovation

Virtual teams, through their ability to bridge space over time, are an important component of globally dispersed enterprises. Inclusion consists of a team’s mission, effort, and practice to sustain a diverse workplace and leverage the influence of diversity to realize a rival business advantage. This study examined the role of inclusive non-spatial proximity and knowledge sharing in fostering innovation performance of virtual teams. Survey responses were received from 143 subjects with working experience in virtual teams of the top-2000 global enterprises in Taiwan and China that possess high rankings in the integration of international cooperation. The model was assessed and validated using partial least squares regression. According to the empirical results, organizational proximity influences technical innovation through knowledge contribution. Furthermore, cognitive proximity influences technical innovation through knowledge absorption. Finally, the relationships between cognitive proximity and knowledge absorption and between institutional proximity and knowledge contribution were shown to have industrial differences.

Impact of proximity on knowledge network formation: the case of the Korean steel industry

ABSTRACT Empirical research shows that the relationship between proximity and knowledge cooperation assumes a linear or an inverted ‘U’ shape. This study of knowledge networks in the South Korean steel industry shows that the relationship may assume other forms. Cognitive, organizational and geographical proximity all play crucial roles in explaining the knowledge network. In the case of cognitive and geographical proximity, the relationship is linear, while in the case of organizational proximity, the relationship is wave-like, reflecting the distinctive characteristics of the country’s steel industry, which is hierarchically led by several large conglomerates.

Disconnected human resource? Proximity and the (mis)management of workplace conflict

AbstractThe development of more remote sources of advice has been a notable feature of the contemporary human resource (HR) function. However, the consequences for the management of workplace conflict are largely ignored within the academic literature. This study draws on data from two qualitative studies, which examine the experiences of HR practitioners (HRPs), line managers and trade union representatives in handling and resolving conflict. It explores how different dimensions of organisational proximity shape the relationships between HRPs and other key stakeholders, and the impact of this on conflict management. The findings suggest that formal, risk averse approaches to conflict are not simply a result of geographical distance. Instead, functional specialisation has not only eroded cognitive and social proximity between HRPs, line managers and employee representatives but also within the HR function itself. This has triggered the reinforcement of bureaucratic control and embedded responses that emphasise compliance rather than resolution.

Creating an optimal environment for inclusive education: co-location and transformation in interdisciplinary collaboration

ABSTRACT Collaboration between teachers and child support workers is seen as a promising way to effectuate inclusive practice in mainstream education. This paper aims to explore how co-location of services promotes transformation of practice, and to expand an analytic framework for interdisciplinary collaboration. By combining these two perspectives, we intend to contribute to both theory and practice. The data consist of semi-structured interviews that explore the experiences of teachers and child support workers who co-work in three schools for secondary education. A template analysis was used to examine collaboration in co-location, and to further develop the framework with which we began our empirical research. The initial template consisted of dimensions of knowledge sharing in relation to dimensions of trust and dimensions of identity. The results showed that proximity can be divided into three different types, being spatial proximity, organisational proximity and personal proximity. These types of proximity, in turn, can be related to knowledge sharing, trust and identity. The contribution of the expanded framework for practice lies in its potential to shed light on how processes in interdisciplinary collaboration can be shaped.