Proximity, Location and Informal Knowledge Spillovers

Proximity, Location and Informal Knowledge Spillovers Ben Spigel, MA PhD Candidate - Department of Geography, University of Toronto AUTM 2010 Conference, New Orleans

Learning Objectives • Why are informal spillovers important • How does proximity and location affect informal spillovers • How tech transfer ofﬁces can increase informal spillovers

Informal conversations are the building blocks for formal collaboration

The chances of researchers co- publishing is 4 times higher if their ofﬁces are in the same hallway

The chance of serendipitous interaction drops to almost zero after only 30 meters (Allen, 1977)

Toker and Gray (2008) found that over 80% of interaction in a university lab was unplanned and spontaneous

But informal interaction is hard to start. Almost any barrier will stop it from happening.

The environment of a place is critical for encouraging random, unplanned, informal interaction

PROXIMITY AND LOCATION Mesoscale - walking distance of an individual (~ 1.4 KM) Macro Meso Macroscale - beyond walking Micro Microscale - the landscape distance within the immediate line of sight

Features like staircases, doors and even turns in a hallway act as cognitive barriers to interaction

Even the simplest barrier can stop informal interaction.

Interaction can be encouraged by providing space for socializing

On a campus, walkability is key

But what one person sees as open and walkable, another might see as dangerous and exposed

Enough parking is critical

What can technology transfer practitioners bring to the table to encourage informal knowledge exchange and spillover?

But there are many challenges

Thank you Ben Spigel Department of Geography University of Toronto ben.spigel@utoronto.ca www.benspigel.com

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Proximity, Location and Informal Knowledge Spillovers

by Ben Spigel on Jan 23, 2010

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Proximity, Location and Informal Knowledge Spillovers — Presentation Transcript