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Co-operation over distance? The spatial dimension of inter-organizational innovation collaboration

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Abstract

In the literature, there is a controversy about the role of space in innovation collaboration. With a longitudinal study of 47 inter-organizational innovation groups in Germany, we examine the link between the spatial composition of group members and group characteristics that are important to perform innovation projects. Hence, conceptually and methodologically, we use social-psychological concepts in the field of spatial economics. We find that the share of regional partners is per se not a determining factor for the formation of a functional working group with the necessary characteristics to be successful. But very often regional groups are small and show shortcomings in their partner structure.

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Notes

  1. The groups belong to instruments, energy, health, logistics, construction, biotech, chemicals, ICT, and more, thus giving a broad picture of industrial activity.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the German Ministry for Education and Research for funding the empirical part of the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Chair of Economic Geography and Location Research, University of Marburg, Deutschhausstrasse 10, 35032, Marburg, Germany

    Anja Dettmann, Sidonia von Proff & Thomas Brenner

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  1. Anja Dettmann
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  2. Sidonia von Proff
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  3. Thomas Brenner
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Correspondence to Sidonia von Proff.

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Dettmann, A., von Proff, S. & Brenner, T. Co-operation over distance? The spatial dimension of inter-organizational innovation collaboration. J Evol Econ 25, 729–753 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00191-015-0414-8

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