Is that hothouse flower really here to stay?

That being face-to-face in business communication remains important in the face of low cost electronic options raises interesting questions. In an earlier article in this Journal, I pointed to innovation as one reason why being physically close is important. Here the probe is broadened. Special attention is given to non economic behavior and the conditions under which knowledge spills over effectively in a face-to-face setting. Forthcoming are added reasons for believing that face-to-face communication will remain important, but also provide a basis for arguing that, in time, this importance will diminish with consequences that are not now very clear.