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Re-examining global urban hierarchy of corporate geography: The rise of Pacific Rim cities and shifting command-and-control

Author

Listed:
  • Patrik Vanek

    (Department of Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Ludek Kouba

    (Department of Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Eleanor Doyle

    (Global Competitiveness Institute, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Ireland)

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamic evolution of world city hierarchy from 1996 to 2023, emphasising metropolitan areas as global command-and-control centres. The paper proposes a classification of the diverse literature on world/global cities and develops an analytical framework revisiting Godfrey and Zhou’s (1999) approach. Using the Fortune Global 500 list and Refinitiv Eikon database data, the paper explores trends in global command-and-control centres by analysing the locations of corporate and regional headquarters. The paper reveals a shift towards Pacific Rim cities, a strengthening position of US cities, Europe’s decline, and persistent command and control disparity. Beijing has surpassed traditional leaders such as New York, Tokyo, and London, emerging as a dominant economic command-and-control centre.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrik Vanek & Ludek Kouba & Eleanor Doyle, 2024. "Re-examining global urban hierarchy of corporate geography: The rise of Pacific Rim cities and shifting command-and-control," MENDELU Working Papers in Business and Economics 2024-96, Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:men:wpaper:96_2024
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chakravarty, Dwarka & Goerzen, Anthony & Musteen, Martina & Ahsan, Mujtaba, 2021. "Global cities: A multi-disciplinary review and research agenda," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    2. Scott, Allen J. (ed.), 2001. "Global City-Regions: Trends, Theory, Policy," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198297994.
    3. Lewis Dijkstra & Hugo Poelman & Paolo Veneri, 2019. "The EU-OECD definition of a functional urban area," OECD Regional Development Working Papers 2019/11, OECD Publishing.
    4. Ben Derudder & Peter J. Taylor, 2020. "Three Globalizations Shaping the Twenty-first Century: Understanding the New World Geography through Its Cities," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 110(6), pages 1831-1854, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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