ABSTRACT
In a world where the business environment is shaped by the two opposite forces of deglobalization and globalization, a reflection upon the role of culture and cultural proximity within organizations is compelling. In fact, while proximity is generally considered essential for organizations promoting communication and facilitating interaction between actors, too much proximity might lead to lock-in and inertia. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is structured in two parts, each part contributing to the debate from a distinctive perspective: theoretical the first and empirical the second. It describes and discusses theories from a sociological, managerial, and economic point of view. The book builds empirical evidence delving deeply into the role of proximity in different contexts: inside an organization, within groups and teams, and in the digital environment. It explores the research on cultural values, underlining the importance of cultural agreement for organizations.
