Chilla T, Paul H, Sommer CR (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
DOI: 10.1177/0308518X261483621
While borders have traditionally been understood as barriers that increase transaction costs and divide economic space, processes of liberalization and integration also create opportunities for cross-border interaction. Building on relational economic geography, this paper examines how different forms of proximity shape cross-border economic integration in European border regions. Empirically, the study analyzes three agri-food sectors in European Union border regions: beer in the German–Czech border region, pork in the German–Dutch border region, and soy in the German–Austrian border region. Using a mixed-methods mapping approach, the paper investigates economic flows and governance relations along the entire value chain from cultivation to consumption. The results show that proximity can enable and constrain cross-border interaction. Institutional differences may create opportunities through regulatory or price differentials, while excessive institutional distance hinders exchange. Organizational proximity can foster cooperation through shared infrastructure and expertise; however, competition may reinforce barriers. Cognitive and social proximity facilitate interaction when products and actors are perceived as culturally “regional enough,” whereas strong domestic embeddedness limits integration. While spatial proximity supports integration when infrastructure and accessibility reduce transaction costs, geographical closeness alone is insufficient. Borders can function as assets and barriers. Moreover, the degree of cross-border integration depends on the interaction between different forms of proximity, transaction costs, and broader structural conditions.
APA:
Chilla, T., Paul, H., & Sommer, C.R. (2026). Border region economies: The role of proximity. Environment and planning A. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X261483621
MLA:
Chilla, Tobias, Hannah Paul, and Carola Rebecca Sommer. "Border region economies: The role of proximity." Environment and planning A (2026).
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