Interlocking Directorates: An Example of Tacit Knowledge Transfer

Authors

Sean O'Hagan, Nipissing University
Milford B. Green, University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2002

Volume

23

Issue

2

Journal

Urban Geography

First Page

154

Last Page

179

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.2747/0272-3638.23.2.154

Abstract

This paper illustrates tacit knowledge flows between American and Canadian metropolitan areas. Using the spatial distribution of interlocking in Canada and the United States a spatial component is added to the resource dependency paradigm. Using a poisson regression model, components of cities that initiate and attract interlocking, and thus knowledge transfer, can be identified. From the results, the authors propose the concept of a "knowledge threshold" essential for the transfer of tacit knowledge. In Canada the "knowledge threshold" encompasses the entire country while it is more regionally based in the United States.