The different roles of proximity in multiple informal network relationships: evidence from the cluster of high technology applied to cultural goods in Tuscany

Spinoffs and tie formation in cluster knowledge networks

“…This study has also contributed to the emerging empirical studies on knowledge network formation in clusters (e.g. Giuliani 2013;Broekel and Hartog 2013a;Balland et al 2016;Capone and Lazzeretti 2018) and has provided further insights on the influence of company ownership, geographical closeness and common third partners on knowledge tie formation between firms. The study also aimed to connect the literature on informal knowledge networks to the literature on spinoffs in clusters.…”

Knowledge networks and industrial structure for regional innovation: An analysis of patents collaborations in Italy

“…Finally, social proximity is another process (at micro level) which can help to promote knowledge exchange and innovation. In fact, several authors underline that social ties and trust can help organizations and individuals to collaborate and to be more innovative (e.g., Boschma, 2005;Broekel & Boschma, 2012;Capone & Lazzeretti, 2018). In particular, regarding the knowledge networks of inventors, Breschi and Lenzi (2016) confirm that internal social proximity supports knowledge flows and the renewal of the local knowledge base.…”

Personal and social proximity empowering collaborations: the glue of knowledge networks

“…From this study, it can be gathered that advancing our understanding of personal proximity effects is particularly interesting when it comes to vertical relationships between (individuals in) firms. In the contribution of Capone and Lazzeretti (2018), the importance of multiple informal relationships in innovation collaborations is shown. Interestingly, the empirical work shows how different sorts of proximity affect the formation of different sorts of informal relationships.…”

“…So, in line with these studies, as well as with Boschma, Marrocu, and Paci (2015) and Balland, Boschma, and Frenken (2015), we would like to call for analysis of the dynamics of personal and social proximity to show this co-evolution, most likely involving various other kinds of proximity. These types of studies would require longitudinal designs, mapping and tracing the development of social networks and personal relationships in industrial districts and clusters, or smaller scale collaborative innovation projects, as follows from Capone and Lazzeretti (2018) and Contreras Romero (2018).…”

“…Results show distinct effects of personal, social, and cognitive proximity, generating implications for regional industrial policy. The third contribution in this special issue investigates the role of different proximities in multiple sorts of informal inter-organizational relationships (Capone and Lazzeretti 2018). This study poses that previous research has been biased toward the study of proximity in mostly formal types of inter-organizational relationships, and it highlights instead how informal relationships are formed, and how various forms of proximity are related to the formation of inter-organizational relationships for innovation-related collaborations.…”