The Role of Geographical Proximity in the Establishment and Development of Science Parks

The paper examines the role of geographical proximity in the creation and development of the Cuiping Science Park, China. The research work consists of a literature review of science parks and an analytical framework for spatial proximity in the development of science parks. The qualitative analysis is based on 15 in-depth interviews with 13 managers (directors) from tenant firms and 2 officers from suburban government. The result from qualitative empirical data shows that in comparison to geographical proximity, government policy has an irreplaceably dominant role in appealing new firms to the park during its establishing process. In the development process, the existing spatial proximity in the Cuiping Science has resulted in desirable linkages between different actors to a limited extent.