Space-time in the concept of "milieu innovateur"

Abstract

"This work aimed at showing how the concept of milieu innovateur uses an important new economic interpretation of the concepts of space and time. The approach is important and innovative mainly in one sense, because it allows - indeed, requires - re-examination of the two dimensions in which we usually collocate real phenomena: space and time; indeed, it reveals all the limitations of metric, chronologic and geographic concepts respectively, of space and time. Space, assumed as mere geographic, distance, is replaced by territory (or relational space), defined through economic and social interaction; time, assumed as mere sequence of intervals on which to measure quantitative variations of smooth variables, is replaced by the pace of learning and innovation/creation processes. After some initial considerations on this ropic, this paper goes on to discuss the concept of milieu innovateur in detail. The different function of the milieu are considered, both in a static and a dynamic framework, and therefore with reference to the efficiency of the local production fabric and to its ability of continuously innovate on products and processes. Finally, the subject of the internal evolution of the milieu and the neccessary long term reorganization of its internal and external linkages is considered." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Camagni, R. (1994): Space-time in the concept of "milieu innovateur". In: U. Blien, H. Herrmann & M. Koller (Hrsg.) (1994): Regionalentwicklung und regionale Arbeitsmarktpolitik. Konzepte zur Lösung regionaler Arbeitsmarktprobleme? (Beiträge zur Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, 184), p. 74-89.