Proximity dimensions of innovation networks: the diffusion of energy technologies in Switzerland

Technical and social innovations play a central role in driving the transition from fuel-based solutions to a renewable energy system. While innovative energy technologies exist, a broad uptake in society is still missing. In the diffusion of innovations field, proximity effects and social influence have been studied on the demand side and found to impact the adoption of energy technologies. However, less focus is given to the role of information networks and collaboration among professionals or organizations. In the geography of innovations field, proximity and co-location of supply actors have been found to be relevant for the process of knowledge spillovers necessary to foster innovative dynamics. Yet, a limitation of the proximity framework applied to innovations is the lack of attention paid to the interactions between firms and users. In this study, we use social networks to study the role of proximity in the sector of energy management systems (EMS) integrated with photovoltaics (PV) and electromobility (EV) in Switzerland both from a demand and a supply-side perspective. We use the geography of innovation framework postulating that geographic proximity is neither necessary nor sufficient for innovation to take place and it should not be assessed in isolation from other dimensions of proximity. Thus, besides geographic proximity, we consider cognitive, organizational, institutional and social proximity, and embed them in the networks connecting professionals among them and professionals with adopters of energy technologies. For this, we surveyed 3,000 adopters of EMS, PV and EV and investigated their interactions with professionals that influenced their adoption decision. We asked them about the exchange location, frequency of interaction, contact organisation, and the level of trust in the contact person. We also conducted a survey on 157 professionals of organisations in the field, collecting data on their interactions with other professionals, and events or associations used to exchange information. In both cases, we asked for their geographic location. This data allowed us to create spatial social networks and analyze the different dimensions of proximity. The results show that geographic proximity does not seem relevant for the innovation network of professionals in the energy landscape of Switzerland. The lack of geographic proximity is compensated by the other dimensions, particularly cognitive and institutional proximity. On the other hand, for the exchanges between professionals and adopters, geographic proximity gains relevance. This can be explained by the reduction in the other proximity dimensions i.e. professionals working in the same sector have common characteristics and social arenas that adopters do not have. This study highlights the potential of using social networks to tackle the multidimensional nature of proximity within the Swiss energy sector. While geographic closeness may not be defining for professional netwo