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GROTZ R. and BRAUN B. (1997) Territorial or trans-territorial networking: spatial aspects of technology-oriented cooperation within the German mechanical engineering industry, Reg. Studies 31, 545-557. This study examines the relevance and viability of innovation-oriented networks of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in three differently structured industrial environments in Germany. It is mainly based on in-depth interviews in 155 SMEs of the mechanical engineering industry and with regional innovation consultants. Empirical results suggest that regional networks are hardly dominant features of the surveyed areas. Weak ties and innovation-oriented relationships are far less spatially restricted than generally assumed. In many cases, the access to interregional contact networks is much more important, especially for technology-intensive firms. Generally, technological change and competitiveness are pursued more through individual product-oriented firm strategies than through intensified regional networking. This has to be considered if network concepts are to be translated into regional economic policies. GROTZ R. et BRAUN B. (1997) Le maillage territorial ou transfrontalier: des aspects geographiques de la cooperation technologique au sein de l'industrie de la construction mecanique en Allemagne, Reg. Studies 31, 545-557. Cette etude cherch a examiner l'importance et la faisabilite des reseaux orientes vers l'innovation et comportant des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) situees dans trois environnements industriels allemands dont les structures se distinguent. Dans une large mesure l'etude est fondee sur des interviews detaillees menees dans 155 PME de l'industrie de la construction mecanique et avec des conseillers techniques regionaux. Les resultats laissent supposer que les reseaux regionaux ne constituent guere des aspects qui predominent dans les zones en question. Des liens faibles et des rapports orientes vers l'innovation sont beaucoup moins limites du point de vue geographique que l'on n'avait prevu. Dans beaucoup des cas, l'acces aux reseaux interregionaux s'avere beaucoup plus important surtout pour les entreprises a fort niveau technologiquea. En regle generale, la recherche de la transformation technologique et de la competivitese fait de plus en plus par des strategies d'entreprise individuelles orientees vers les produits que par une intensification du maillage regional. Cela doit meriter quelque reflexion si la notion de maillage va se traduire en des politiques economiques regionales. GROTZ R. und BRAUN B. (1997) Territoriales oder transterritoriales Netzwerken: raumliche Aspekte technologisch orientierter Zusammenarbeit in der deutschen Maschinenbauindustrie, Reg. Studies 31, 545-557. Diese Studie untersucht die Bedeutung und Funktionsweise von innovationsorientierten Netzwerken von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen(KMU)in drei unterschiedlich strukturierten Industrieraumen in Deutschland. Sie beruht im wesentlichen auf halbstandardisierten Interviews in 155 KMU des Maschinenbaus u...

The social model for old age is a self-determined and socially integrated life for as long as possible. In this regard, different settings offer different conditions. The article investigates which living conditions best meet the needs of elderly people. It is based on results from the FRAME (leisure mobility of elderly people) research project, which examines the everyday mobility of persons aged 60 and older in different urban settings. The results show that an active lifestyle is possible in all the study areas, but that the preconditions for withdrawal into one's own neighbourhood vary between different residential areas. In general, the importance of basic supply resources and leisure facilities within the residential environment and a preferably railbound public transport connection to the city centre need to be pointed out.

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