Buzz: Face-to-face contact and the urban economy

Anthony Venables and Michael Storper ()
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Michael Storper: CSO - Centre de sociologie des organisations (Sciences Po, CNRS) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: This paper argues that existing models of urban concentrations are incomplete unless grounded in the most fundamental aspect of proximity; face-to-face contact. Face-to-face contact has four main features; it is an efficient communication technology; it can help solve incentive problems; it can facilitate socialization and learning; and it provides psychological motivation. We discuss each of these features in turn, and develop formal economic models of two of them. Face-to-face is particularly important in environments where information is imperfect, rapidly changing, and not easily codified, key features of many creative activities.

Date: 2006
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal-sciencespo.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03397764
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Published in Stefano Breschi; Franco Malerba. Clusters, Networks and Innovation, Oxford University Press, pp.319 - 342, 2006, 9780199275564

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Related works:
Working Paper: Buzz: Face-to-face contact and the urban economy (2006)
Journal Article: Buzz: face-to-face contact and the urban economy (2004)
Working Paper: Buzz: Face-to-Face Contact and the Urban Economy (2003)
Working Paper: Buzz: face-to-face contact and the urban economy (2003)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:spmain:hal-03397764

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