STP-related networking events and conferences as temporary local and trans-

In the analysis of KNM instruments enabling firms’ knowledge relations to academia, local networking events, as well as locally organized industry and scientific conferences have

been identified as important KNM tools overall or to specific knowledge seeking STP resi-dent firms, respectively. While the importance of local networking events for knowledge interaction with academia were emphasized throughout the three different groups of knowledge seekers, only a considerable number of strong knowledge seekers pointed to the significance of locally organized conferences in this respect.²³⁷

Typically, the networking events and conferences associated with the Adlershof and Cartu-ja science parks focus on specific technology areas or other kinds of specialization, thus, seeking to ensure sufficient similarity of knowledge bases among local and non-local at-tendants. Furthermore, thematic specialization augments the probability that participating firms and academic entities even are part of the same or related epistemic communities and/or communities of practice. Multiple companies interviewed also underlined the im-portance of specialized topics of these informal and formal gatherings. To illustrate, one interviewee elaborated on this aspect in regard to STP related networking events: “(…) it’s more useful to go to events and participate in networks, to which we have intersections as regards to the technology areas.” (ADL_7). Thus, cognitive similarity between particpants enables the efficient exchange and interpretation of information and knowledge presented, discussed and shared in various ways at the two types of events, as well as sets potential for learning and knowledge creation, as also Henn and Bathelt (2015) have highlighted. In addition to the attendants’ cognitive overlap aspired, Harmaakorpi and Melkas (2005), as well as Bathelt and Zakrzewski (2007) have stressed that the alignment of such industry gatherings by specific themes typically results in a certain institutional proximity as the par-ticipating actors usually aim to solve similar problems.

Most importantly, many interviewees underscored that local networking events, such as Academic Lunch at the Adlershof science park and Cartuja 93 Working Breakfast at the STP Cartuja (see Figure 42), primarily help to have initial informal face-to-face contacts with researchers and learn about their expertise, which could meet the firms’ specialized knowledge demands. One company explained this important aspect: “There’s the Academ-ic Lunch, where one and the other CEO is invited and sits together with university profes-sors at the table. And as soon as three people sit together, they talk 'what do you do?' and

237 In regard to knowledge interaction with academia, ca. 57% of the businesses categorized as strong knowledge seekers (n=21) evaluated the importance of local networking events strongly. Additionally, ap-proximately 44% and 31% of the firms in two groups moderate knowledge seekers (n=18) and lame knowledge seekers (n=13), respectively, considered them as important.

In regard to industry and scientific conferences organized at the STPs, only ca. 17% and ca. 8% of the firms in these two categories underlined the special significance regarding the facilitation of interactive links to academia. In contrast, ca. 52% of the businesses specified as strong knowledge seekers placed empha-sis on such industry gatherings.

'what do you do?' and such things. This is a good setting.” (ADL_19).²³⁸ Thus, based on temporary co-presence of similar and complementary actors, the networking events and conferences facilitate personal interaction and may be a starting point for the development of personal relationships. This way, the specialized local networking events complement the general spatial co-location of industry and academia in the two STPs and even rein-force the likelihood of personal interaction of fitting complementary knowledge carriers, that subsequently may result in productive knowledge relations.

238 A company classified as strong knowledge seeker illustrated the important role of local networking events at the Cartuja science park concerning getting to know suitable scientific knowledge sources in vicinity: “I have been to the [Cartuja 93] Working Breakfast, which was really interesting, presentations of research groups to businesses. (…) In addition to COPIT and the other networks, this is the best advantage of being in the STP Cartuja.” (CAR_1).

Figure 42: Cartuja 93 Working Breakfast networking event

Source: Cartuja 93 (2010b, p. 56)

In addition, locally hosted specialized industry conferences, which often have a regional, national or even international focus, offer enhanced opportunities to develop relations to scientific knowledge sources onsite, but especially also worldwide: “The contacts are made at conferences, trade shows and presentations. These are good occasions to meet people that work in the same field or something, which may create synergies.” (CAR_14). Corre-spondingly, the STP resident firms classified as strong knowledge seekers, characterized by strong local and non-local knowledge linkages to academia, especially use these con-ferences to absorb new information, as well as to develop and maintain multi-scalar knowledge relations to scientific institutions. In this respect, Bathelt and Schuldt (2008) have referred to global buzz and trans-local pipelines. Consequently, also for these specific cases of STP-related networking events and conferences, the notion of temporary clusters and temporary trans-local knowledge platforms, respectively, as stressed by, for example, Maskell et al. (2004) and Bathelt and Cohendet (2014), is reaffirmed. Overall, it implies that temporary co-presence can enable the access and exchange of non-local knowledge and, thus, also substitute the need for permanent co-location in knowledge relations, as various studies (e.g. Kujath, 2008; Torre, 2008) have highlighted.

In sum, the high overall relevance of networking events and selective importance of indus-try conferences held at the STPs concerning the facilitation of link creation and knowledge

exchange with academia in the STP and external to the STP is primarily based on the or-ganization of two fundamental dimensions of non-spatial proximity. Thereafter, the thematic specialization of both kinds of events results in the selective attraction of actors with 1) re-lated or complementary knowledge bases, as well as 2) similar objectives and motives. In addition, temporary geographical proximity takes over a crucial function in enabling first personal interaction and, thus, the development of social proximity.