Geographical Proximity and Regional Innovation:the Perspective of Knowledge Flows and Collective Learning

Contrary to the 'death of geography',geographical proximity is appreciated in the field of regional innovation for the characteristics of knowledge and the context dependent of innovation.The station of geography vicinity in Regional Innovative Economics is the same to that in the traditional Spatial Economics.It is only a promotive factor to innovation,but not determinative.Spatial economics and innovation economics have the same goals,but their understanding on geography proximity is quite different caused by that different economy modes decide variables.This paper investigates the function mechanism of the once 'black box' from the perspective of knowledge flows and collective learning.We think,as to learning and innovation,geographical proximity still fits the proverb 'absence makes the heart grow fonder',too much or too little geographical proximity may be detrimental for learning and innovation.Further,geographical proximity is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for regional innovatio it will facilitate and substitute mutually with other forms of proximity.ICTS Development decreased importance of geograhy proximity in traditional spatial economy.ICTS further development decreased importance of geograhy proximity in regional innovation economy.It is possible that in the futher virtual economic world,there is slight need for geograhy proximity.