Proximity and the evolution of collaboration networks: evidence from research and development projects within the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) industry

Abstract

This paper analyses the influence of proximity on the evolution of collaboration networks. It determines empirically how organizations choose their partners according to their geographical, cognitive, organizational, institutional and social proximity. Relational databases are constructed from research and development collaborative projects, funded under the European Union 6th Framework Programme within the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) industry from 2004 to 2007. The stochastic actor-based model SIENA is used to model the network dynamic as a realization of a continuous-time Markov chain and to estimate parameters for underlying mechanisms of its evolution. Empirical results show that geographical, organizational and institutional proximity favour collaborations, while cognitive and social proximity do not play a significant role.