ABSTRACT
New technologies are one of the most visible aspects of the dramatic transformation of European society and economy which appears to be in progress at the end of the 20th century, involving daily life, work relations, and all aspects of economic organisation. The significance of proximity lies rather in the context of the efficient functioning of certain activities essential to competitive success in advanced-technology industry, and of certain systems of inter-firm relationships. Local milieus are regarded as the nurseries, the incubators, of innovations and innovative firms. The local environment-based approach implies that innovative behaviour is as much dependent on variables defined at the local and regional level as on national-scale influences. The research carried out in the few years by the Groupe de Recherche Europeen sur les Milieux Innovateurs enables a general picture to be constructed of current innovation behaviour and technological change in the regions of Europe.
