This paper deals critically with the concept of geographical proximity as a prerequisite for successful regional innovation processes. Using three case studies, we show that regional development studies need to connect geographical proximity with organisational proximity achieved by actions to mobilise resources around a collective project or utilising common institutional routines and values.

The ILO’s recognition of the social and solidarity economy (SSE), with an internationally accepted definition, pointed out its important role in achieving sustainable development goals, which aim at fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all, and reducing inequalities. This article stresses the essential role of cooperatives in achieving the objectives of sustainable development and decent work. It clarifies the relationships among the social and solidarity economy, corporate social responsibility, and responsible business conduct. It shows why the SSE, which consists of value- and principle-driven/based units, is particularly relevant to improving accountability in business and society. This article especially focuses on the contribution of SSE businesses to decent work using examples from different ILO reports in a qualitative and thematic approach. It proposes some critical thoughts on the cooperative model and recommendations for reinforcing commitments to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The influence of the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the organisation and location of firms has been the subject of an important debate in economic literature. In contrast we focus in this paper on the effects of the organisational and spatial structures and behaviours of firms on ICT adoption. These effects are tested by means of an original data set of approximately 5000 French industrial firms, which enables us to combine the different components of the firms' internal and external modes of organisation and their relations to territories, notably by taking into account the diversity of their spatial environments (urban, periurban, or rural areas). Beyond the traditional structural determinants, results confirm that organisational factors play a significant part in ICT adoption. Among these factors, the internal and external modes of coordination of firms and the codification of knowledge, practices, and relations considerably influence the adoption of ICT. Results also confirm the importance of spatial factors such as the type of areas where firms are located, and more generally the importance of the firms' spatial structure. These results theoretically emphasise the need to depart from a vision of the firm as a single-unit entity. Empirically they suggest that ICT do not only enable the firm to manage problems of distance or of proximity, but also to manage new organisational modes in space.

Les coopératives agricoles, acteurs majeurs de l’agriculture française, se sont profondément transformées ces vingt dernières années en recourant à la filialisation dans des sociétés de droit commercial et en développant les partenariats entre entreprises. Pour mieux comprendre ces transformations, nous mobilisons une approche en terme d’alliances stratégiques, définies comme une coordination de moyens, compétences et ressources entre des entreprises concurrentes. Nous analysons les alliances nouées entre les groupes coopératifs agricoles formalisées dans une structure juridique et identifiées à partir des bases de données nationales LIFI et EAE en 2003. Les résultats obtenus révèlent d’une part que les alliances entre coopératives visent à une concentration du pouvoir économique qui s’exprime différemment selon qu’une coopérative domine ou non l’alliance et d’autre part, que la dimension spatiale joue un rôle prépondérant dans ces jeux de concentration.