The Death of Distance Revisited: Cyberplace, Physical and Relational Proximities

Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper 12-066/3

36 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2012

See all articles by Emmanouil Tranos

Emmanouil Tranos

University of Birmingham

Peter Nijkamp

VU University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics; Tinbergen Institute

Date Written: July 11, 2012

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of physical distance and different relational proximity types on the formation of the Internet infrastructure. Although there is some anecdotal evidence on the 'end of geography' effect of the Internet, the relationship between physical space and the Internet has not been yet scrutinized. In addition, owing to the network nature of the Internet, the structure of the Internet infrastructure (the cyber-place) cannot be approached in a unidimensional way. Our paper builds upon recent studies in economic geography and relational proximities, and aims to study whether physical distance survives in virtual geography even after controlling for relational proximities. In order to do so, a unique and extensive database with geo-coded IP links is utilized. Based on this, a spatial interaction model with panel data specifications is constructed to study the impact of different types of proximity on the formation of cyber-place. The above analysis is framed by a complex network analysis exercise, which enhances our understanding of the complexity of the Internet infrastructure from a spatial network perspective. Our results indicate that physical distance, but also different relational proximities, have a significant impact on the intensity of the Internet infrastructure, highlighting the spatiality of the Internet.

Keywords: death of distance, internet geography, internet infrastructure, distance, proximities, spatial interaction models

JEL Classification: C23, H54, L96

Suggested Citation

Tranos, Emmanouil and Nijkamp, Peter, The Death of Distance Revisited: Cyberplace, Physical and Relational Proximities (July 11, 2012). Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper 12-066/3, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2103024 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2103024

Emmanouil Tranos (Contact Author)

University of Birmingham ( email )

United Kingdom

Peter Nijkamp

VU University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
1081HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 4446091 (Phone)
+31 20 4445611 (Fax)

Tinbergen Institute

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

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