Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups

Detalhes bibliográficos
Autor(a) principal: Fontes, Margarida
Data de Publicação: 2016
Outros Autores: Sousa, Cristina
Tipo de documento: Artigo
Idioma: eng
Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/11328/1824
https://doi.org/dx.doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2014-0104
Resumo: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the strategies adopted by science-based start-ups to gain access to knowledge resources at diverse spatial levels. It investigates the presence and relative importance of ties endowed with different types of proximity in firms’ knowledge networks, and the role played by non-geographical proximity in gaining access to knowledge sources, both nearby and distant. Design/methodology/approach – An analytical framework is proposed that distinguishes between two dimensions of proximity – geographical and relational – leading to different forms of proximity, which are further linked with modes of knowledge interaction (formal or informal). A methodology for network reconstruction is developed and applied to Portuguese molecular biology firms, permitting to identify the origin, location and nature of the ties and to position them along forms of proximity. Findings – The results show that the incidence and mix of the different forms of proximity vary in firms’ individual networks, being possible to identify several patterns. They also uncover the relevance of relational proximity, whether or not coexisting with geographical proximity and often compensating for its absence. Research limitations/implications – This approach needs to be complemented with further research that refines the operationalization of relational proximity, by attempting to disentangle the influence of different types of non-geographical proximity. Further research will also explore in greater detail the factors that may explain variety in the proximity mix of firms’ networks. Practical implications – The paper offers insights into the knowledge sourcing strategies adopted by science-based firms located outside the main concentrations of knowledge in their field. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature on the role of proximity in knowledge access, by developing and empirically testing a taxonomy of forms of proximity, considering the characteristics of science-based firms. It uncovers the mechanisms through which relational proximity can contribute to span spatial boundaries, highlighting the role played by entrepreneurs’ personal networks.
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spelling Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-upsSpaceEntrepreneurs trajectoryFormal and informal tiesKnowledge networksRelational proximityScience-based firmsPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the strategies adopted by science-based start-ups to gain access to knowledge resources at diverse spatial levels. It investigates the presence and relative importance of ties endowed with different types of proximity in firms’ knowledge networks, and the role played by non-geographical proximity in gaining access to knowledge sources, both nearby and distant. Design/methodology/approach – An analytical framework is proposed that distinguishes between two dimensions of proximity – geographical and relational – leading to different forms of proximity, which are further linked with modes of knowledge interaction (formal or informal). A methodology for network reconstruction is developed and applied to Portuguese molecular biology firms, permitting to identify the origin, location and nature of the ties and to position them along forms of proximity. Findings – The results show that the incidence and mix of the different forms of proximity vary in firms’ individual networks, being possible to identify several patterns. They also uncover the relevance of relational proximity, whether or not coexisting with geographical proximity and often compensating for its absence. Research limitations/implications – This approach needs to be complemented with further research that refines the operationalization of relational proximity, by attempting to disentangle the influence of different types of non-geographical proximity. Further research will also explore in greater detail the factors that may explain variety in the proximity mix of firms’ networks. Practical implications – The paper offers insights into the knowledge sourcing strategies adopted by science-based firms located outside the main concentrations of knowledge in their field. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature on the role of proximity in knowledge access, by developing and empirically testing a taxonomy of forms of proximity, considering the characteristics of science-based firms. It uncovers the mechanisms through which relational proximity can contribute to span spatial boundaries, highlighting the role played by entrepreneurs’ personal networks.Emerald2017-04-13T11:39:11Z2017-04-132016-01-01T00:00:00Zinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11328/1824http://hdl.handle.net/11328/1824https://doi.org/dx.doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2014-0104engFontes, M., & Sousa, C. (2016). Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups. European Journal of Innovation Management, 19(3), 298-316.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/EJIM-10-2014-0104http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccessFontes, MargaridaSousa, Cristinareponame:Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)instname:Agência para a Sociedade do Conhecimento (UMIC) - FCT - Sociedade da Informaçãoinstacron:RCAAP2023-11-16T02:10:47Zoai:repositorio.upt.pt:11328/1824Portal AgregadorONGhttps://www.rcaap.pt/oai/openaireopendoar:71602024-03-19T22:40:50.738006Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos) - Agência para a Sociedade do Conhecimento (UMIC) - FCT - Sociedade da Informaçãofalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
title Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
spellingShingle Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
Fontes, Margarida
Space
Entrepreneurs trajectory
Formal and informal ties
Knowledge networks
Relational proximity
Science-based firms
title_short Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
title_full Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
title_fullStr Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
title_full_unstemmed Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
title_sort Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups
author Fontes, Margarida
author_facet Fontes, Margarida
Sousa, Cristina
author_role author
author2 Sousa, Cristina
author2_role author
dc.contributor.author.fl_str_mv Fontes, Margarida
Sousa, Cristina
dc.subject.por.fl_str_mv Space
Entrepreneurs trajectory
Formal and informal ties
Knowledge networks
Relational proximity
Science-based firms
topic Space
Entrepreneurs trajectory
Formal and informal ties
Knowledge networks
Relational proximity
Science-based firms
description Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the strategies adopted by science-based start-ups to gain access to knowledge resources at diverse spatial levels. It investigates the presence and relative importance of ties endowed with different types of proximity in firms’ knowledge networks, and the role played by non-geographical proximity in gaining access to knowledge sources, both nearby and distant. Design/methodology/approach – An analytical framework is proposed that distinguishes between two dimensions of proximity – geographical and relational – leading to different forms of proximity, which are further linked with modes of knowledge interaction (formal or informal). A methodology for network reconstruction is developed and applied to Portuguese molecular biology firms, permitting to identify the origin, location and nature of the ties and to position them along forms of proximity. Findings – The results show that the incidence and mix of the different forms of proximity vary in firms’ individual networks, being possible to identify several patterns. They also uncover the relevance of relational proximity, whether or not coexisting with geographical proximity and often compensating for its absence. Research limitations/implications – This approach needs to be complemented with further research that refines the operationalization of relational proximity, by attempting to disentangle the influence of different types of non-geographical proximity. Further research will also explore in greater detail the factors that may explain variety in the proximity mix of firms’ networks. Practical implications – The paper offers insights into the knowledge sourcing strategies adopted by science-based firms located outside the main concentrations of knowledge in their field. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature on the role of proximity in knowledge access, by developing and empirically testing a taxonomy of forms of proximity, considering the characteristics of science-based firms. It uncovers the mechanisms through which relational proximity can contribute to span spatial boundaries, highlighting the role played by entrepreneurs’ personal networks.
publishDate 2016
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z
2017-04-13T11:39:11Z
2017-04-13
dc.type.status.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
dc.type.driver.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
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dc.identifier.uri.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11328/1824
http://hdl.handle.net/11328/1824
https://doi.org/dx.doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2014-0104
url http://hdl.handle.net/11328/1824
https://doi.org/dx.doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2014-0104
dc.language.iso.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv Fontes, M., & Sousa, C. (2016). Types of proximity in knowledge access by science-based start-ups. European Journal of Innovation Management, 19(3), 298-316.
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/EJIM-10-2014-0104
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