Spatial and non-spatial proximity in inter-firm relations: An empirical analysis

Anne Aguilera (), Virginie Lethiais () and Alain Rallet
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Anne Aguilera: LVMT - Laboratoire Ville, Mobilité, Transport - IFSTTAR - Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux - UPEM - Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées
Virginie Lethiais: LUSSI - Département Logique des Usages, Sciences sociales et Sciences de l'Information - UEB - Université européenne de Bretagne - European University of Brittany - Télécom Bretagne - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], MARSOUIN - Môle Armoricain de Recherche sur la SOciété de l'information et des usages d'INternet - UR - Université de Rennes - UEB - Université européenne de Bretagne - European University of Brittany - UBS - Université de Bretagne Sud - ENSAI - Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Analyse de l'Information [Bruz] - UBO - Université de Brest - Télécom Bretagne - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - UR2 - Université de Rennes 2
Alain Rallet: ADIS - Analyse des Dynamiques Industrielles et Sociales - UP11 - Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 - Département d'Economie

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Abstract: This article describes a variety of combinations with regard to proximities (spatial and non-spatial) in inter-firm relations, and identifies their main determinants. The data employed comes from a survey of more than 1400 small and medium-sized firms in the Brittany region (France), which describe the relationship with their principal partner. Apart from spatial distance between partners, it identifies three forms of non-spatial proximity - cognitive, technological and organisational - which are assessed in terms of their role in the relations. A typology of the relationships based on forms of proximity identifies a wide variety of configurations, which depend primarily on and the nature of the relationship, and especially on the need for coordination.

Keywords: France; Brittany; proximity; intercompany communication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-02
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00703639v1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published in Industry and Innovation, 2012, 19 (2), pp.798 - 810

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00703639

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