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The Geography of Global Corporate Networks: The Poor, the Rich, and the Happy Few Countries

Author

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  • Ronald S Wall

    (Institute for Housing and Urban Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1935, 3000 BX Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Martijn J Burger
  • G A (Bert) van der Knaap

Abstract

The gradual integration of nations within our globalizing world is strongly related to the economic networks formed by multinational headquarters and their various subsidiaries located across the globe. Although the corporate reach of multinational corporations (MNCs) is clearly global, the geographical scope of their activities remains limited. Focusing on the network of ownership relations between the global Fortune 100 MNC headquarters and their subsidiaries, it is shown that global corporate activity remains unevenly distributed across the globe. Besides showing that richer countries are better connected within the global system than the poorer countries, the authors also reveal considerable differences in connectivity within the group of rich countries. Based on various determinants, these variations in network connectivity are explained.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald S Wall & Martijn J Burger & G A (Bert) van der Knaap, 2011. "The Geography of Global Corporate Networks: The Poor, the Rich, and the Happy Few Countries," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 43(4), pages 904-927, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:43:y:2011:i:4:p:904-927
    DOI: 10.1068/a43213
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    2. Zhao, Qianyu & Xu, Hang & Wall, Ronald S & Stavropoulos, Spyridon, 2017. "Building a bridge between port and city: Improving the urban competitiveness of port cities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 120-133.
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    4. Xingjian Liu & Ben Derudder & Frank Witlox & Michael Hoyler, 2014. "Cities As Networks within Networks of Cities: The Evolution of the City/Firm-Duality in the World City Network, 2000–2010," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 105(4), pages 465-482, September.
    5. Martijn J. Burger & Frank G. Oort, 2014. "International Handbook of Globalization and World Cities , edited by Ben Derudder , Michael Hoyler , Peter J. Taylor , and Frank Witlox . 2012 . Cheltenham, U.K. and Northampton, Massachusetts : Edwar," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(2), pages 348-351, March.
    6. Deepika Srivastava & M. Rahul, 2024. "Network analysis of trade and FDI," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 1-27, January.
    7. Tenzin Tamang & Hoan Phung Tien, 2020. "Intertwined World: Economic Networks, Positionality And Growth," Review of Economic and Business Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 25, pages 109-133, June.
    8. Olufolajimi Oke & Kavi Bhalla & David C. Love & Sauleh Siddiqui, 2018. "Spatial associations in global household bicycle ownership," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 263(1), pages 529-549, April.

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