The Effect of Social Proximity on Cluster Firms' Innovative Performance under Nonlocal Context: The Moderating Role of Technological Proximity

Abstract

Abstract:

Based on multi-dimensional proximity perspective, this study explores the contingent effect of social proximity and technological proximity on cluster firms' innovative performance by investigating biomedical clusters in Nanjing and Xi'an. The results indicate that the quantity of nonlocal subsidiaries and the number of close nonlocal partners have significant influence on innovative performance of cluster firms. However, the effect of sustainability and frequency of nonlocal contacts are not found. Technological proximity not only affects cluster firms' innovative performance directly, but also moderates the effect of social proximity partially. Thus, this paper contributes to literature by confirming the integrant effect of multi-dimensional proximity under the nonlocal context.

Key words: industrial clusters, social proximity, technological proximity, innovative performance

Xiang Xiyao, Pei Yunlong. The Effect of Social Proximity on Cluster Firms' Innovative Performance under Nonlocal Context: The Moderating Role of Technological Proximity[J]. , 2020, 32(2): 139-150.

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