Considerations of Graphical Proximity and Geographical Nearness

"Near things are more similar than more distant things" states Tobler\u27s first law of geography. This seems obvious and is part to much cognitive research into the perception of the environment. The statement\u27s validity for assessments of geographical nearness purely from map symbols has yet to be ascertained. This paper considers this issue through a theoretical framework grounded in Gestalt concepts, behavioral ecological psychology and information psychology. It sets out to consider how influential experience or training may be on the association of graphical proximity with geographical nearness. A pilot study presents some initial findings. The findings regarding the influence of experience or training are ambiguous, but point to the rapid acquisition of affordances in the survey instruments as another factor for future research

Knowledge Accessibility and Regional Economic Growth

This paper analyzes the role of knowledge accessibility in re¬gional economic growth. The research question is the following: can the variation in knowledge accessibility between regions in a given period explain the variation in their growth performance in subsequent periods? As knowledge measures, we use company R&D, university R&D and patents. A main assumption in the paper is that knowledge accessibilities as a measure of knowledge potentials transform into potential knowledge flows. Our regression results indicate that the intra-municipal and intra-regional knowledge accessibilities of municipalities are significant and capable of ex¬plaining a significant share of the variation in growth of value added per employee between Swedish municipalities. However, the inter-regional knowledge accessibility of municipalities turned out to be insignificant. This is interpreted as a clear indication of spatial dependence in the sense that the knowledge resources in a given municipality tend to have a positive effect on the growth of another municipality, conditional on that the municipalities belongs to the same functional region. Thus, the results of the analysis indicate that knowledge flows transcend municipal borders, but that they tend to be bounded within functional regions. Also, the analysis shows that there is no remaining spatial correlation among the residuals of the spatial units (municipalities) when using accessibility measures in the model, which confirms that the spatial dependence is captured by the accessibility variables.

The Canadian Regional North American Residential Preference Surfaces

The objective of this research was to examine the North American residential preference surfaces of the six traditional regions of Canada. Each regional surface demonstrated a decided spatial regularity in preferences. This regularity was distorted somewhat by local biases and the location of the sample tested relative to the rest of the surface. There was a general tendency to rate the local area high and for preference to decline with increasing distance from the local area. In addition, each surface indicated a strong preference for the west coast here called an ‘Eden’ effect. A ridge of high desirability generally joined the home and ‘Eden’ areas and was generally associated with the Canada corridor. Preference declined rapidly to the north and south from the high east-west ridge of residential desirability. The regional views were also combined to provide a Canadian model of residential desirability. Based upon the general characteristics observed in these surfaces, and ‘Ideal’ model of residential desirability which could be applicable to any surface was hypothesized

Urban and peri-urban food systems: exploring proximity and care in alternative food networks

Basing on the European and Milanese context, the paper develops and presents a preliminary reflection on urban food systems,specifically related to local Alternative Food Networks(ANFs) and how their relational and geographical proximity, that might facilitate or prevent forms of care through collaboration. The authors introduce the Food System Matrix that analyses 16 case studies to investigate the main issues connected to the territorial scope and the purpose of the selected cases. Finally, the paper proposes the concepts of 'proximity' and 'care' as a framework for understanding systemic and sustainable change in food-related services, emphasizing relationships, inclusiveness, and resilience. This work lays the foundation for future investigations into AFNs for sustainable food systems, highlighting the role of design and collaboration in promoting positive social impact

Promoting inter-organisational knowledge sharing:A qualitative evaluation of England's Global Digital Exemplar and Fast Follower Programme

BACKGROUND: The Global Digital Exemplar (GDE) Programme was designed to promote the digitisation of hospital services in England. Selected provider organisations that were reasonably digitally-mature were funded with the expectation that they would achieve internationally recognised levels of excellence and act as exemplars (‘GDE sites’) and share their learning with somewhat less digitally-mature Fast Follower (FF) sites. AIMS: This paper explores how partnerships between GDE and FF sites have promoted knowledge sharing and learning between organisations. METHODS: We conducted an independent qualitative longitudinal evaluation of the GDE Programme, collecting data across 36 provider organisations (including acute, mental health and speciality), 12 of which we studied as in-depth ethnographic case studies. We used a combination of semi-structured interviews with programme leads, vendors and national policy leads, non-participant observations of meetings and workshops, and analysed national and local documents. This allowed us to explore both how inter-organisational learning and knowledge sharing was planned, and how it played out in practice. Thematic qualitative analysis, combining findings from diverse data sources, was facilitated by NVivo 11 and drew on sociotechnical systems theory. RESULTS: Formally established GDE and FF partnerships were perceived to enhance learning and accelerate adoption of technologies in most pairings. They were seen to be most successful where they had encouraged, and were supported by, informal knowledge networking, driven by the mutual benefits of information sharing. Informal networking was enhanced where the benefits were maximised (for example where paired sites had implemented the same technological system) and networking costs minimised (for example by geographical proximity, prior links and institutional alignment). Although the intervention anticipated uni-directional learning between exemplar sites and ‘followers’, in most cases we observed a two-way flow of information, with GDEs also learning from FFs, through informal networking which also extended to other health service providers outside the Programme. The efforts of the GDE Programme to establish a learning ecosystem has enhanced the profile of shared learning within the NHS. CONCLUSIONS: Inter-organisational partnerships have produced significant gains for both follower (FF) and exemplar (GDE) sites. Formal linkages were most effective where they had facilitated, and were supported by, informal networking. Informal networking was driven by the mutual benefits of information sharing and was optimised where sites were well aligned in terms of technology, geography and culture. Misalignments that created barriers to networking between organisations in a few cases were attributed to inappropriate choice of partners. Policy makers seeking to promote learning through centrally directed mechanisms need to create a framework that enables networking and informal knowledge transfer, allowing local organisations to develop bottom-up collaboration and exchanges, where they are productive, in an organic manner

Dimensions of space in business network research

Available online 23 June 2016Abstract not availableJan-Åke Törnroos, Aino Halinen, Christopher J. Medli

Crime and Choice of Residence in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria: A Non-Parametric Analysis

Urban residential patterns are influenced by individual and family choices and preferences of housing locations.  The economic, socio-cultural and physical environmental features of urban residential pattern may have some implication for type and rate of occurrence of crime and the reaction of residents to it as regards to where they choose to live.  This study investigates the effect crime has on households choice of residential location decision in Enugu.  Crime data from Nigerian  police record and 400 questionnaires distributed to residents of Enugu were used for the study.  This study showed that crime incidence is lowest in the medium density neighbourhoods of Enugu.  Crime rate, rent and income are the major factors considered by households while taking decision on residential location in Enugu.  The study also showed that awareness of crime in neighbourhood is associated with household choice of place of residence.  Crime rates need to be reduced in all neighbourhoods to ensure even development of the urban space. Key words: crime, crime rate, crime occurrence, residential choic

GIS Tools for Cartographic Representation of Spatial Data Uncertainty

Maps created in geographic information systems (GIS) are rendered with precisely defined features, but experienced GIS practitioners recognize that spatial data have relative error that is not always apparent to map readers. Limited awareness among many users regarding data error leads users to view and analyze data without regard for relative uncertainty. Tools and methods supporting map designer abilities to graphically communicate uncertainty associated with spatial data have not been readily available. There exists a need for users to display quantifiable characteristics of relative uncertainty associated with spatial data affected via cartographic representation. Development for this project synthesized prominent research recommendations to provide map designers’ with methods for conveying data uncertainty with scientifically tested symbolization within the ArcGIS software. The ultimate goal of this development project is to increase map designers efficiency in illustrating data uncertainty, and stimulate conversation about GIS tools for representing this uncertainty to a wider audience