 Proximity and Knowledge Governance in Localized Production Systems: The Footwear Industry in the North Region of PortugalMário Vale and Josué Caldeira European Planning Studies, 2006, vol. 15, issue 4, 531-548 Abstract: Proximity is a key concept in the explanation of traditional and emergent production systems. Recently, the role of geographical proximity has been qualified on the basis of the argument that other types of proximity should also be taken into account in the explanation of innovation and, particularly, knowledge governance in production systems (e.g. sectoral innovation systems, global production networks, etc.). Drawing on in-depth research at the level of the company, this paper discusses to what extent the introduction of new technology, fashion and design, and control of distribution networks is changing the localized footwear production system in the North region of Portugal. The results indicate how leading innovative companies are developing distant spatial relationships in order to gain access to new critical knowledge using different strategies that are modifying the very nature of the spatial agglomeration. As new types of proximity emerge and new governance mechanisms are put in place, we argue that a new industrial and innovation policy is needed to sustain these traditional industrial agglomerations. Date: 2006 Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:eurpls:v:15:y:2006:i:4:p:531-548 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from DOI: 10.1080/09654310601134854 Access Statistics for this article European Planning Studies is currently edited by Philip Cooke and Louis Albrechts More articles in European Planning Studies from Taylor & Francis Journals |
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