Dynamiques organisationnelles, interactions localisées et innovation technologique. Une investigation empirique

In this paper, we present the results of a French empirical study, COMPETE, which covers a sample of 600 SMEs. We notably show that : (i) SMEs which supplement their internal knowledge and resources with external and various knowledge have stronger technological innovation capacities (external knowledge coming at least to supplement their internal R&D) ; (ii) the adoption of interactive organizational forms is positively related to technological innovation ; (iii) individuals and/or organizations have to « stir » and to associate proximities in order to exchange and combine knowledge. Finally, we highlight that geographic proximity between various knowledge sources, associated with others proximities (organizational in particular), favor repeated interactions and, thereby, various and localized knowledge combination. In conclusion, and relying on those results, we highlight the importance of the territory in this process. Classification JEL : L2, L6, C2, O32, R10.