HEADQUARTERS, OFFICE EMPLOYMENT, AND THE WAVE OF URBANIZATION IN THE NEW-YORK-CITY REGION

Hierarchical theory suggests that high-density office activity, such a s corporate headquarters, epitomizes the concept of agglomeration. Thi s research tests whether office employment in a metropolitan area aggl omerates around suburban nodes of specialized office and corporate hea dquarter activity or if office employment change shifts in response to the wave of urbanization. The location of the Fortune 500 manufacturi ng and service headquarters and the ratio profiles of office employmen t within each county are used in the test. We conclude that headquarte rs are not located in specialized office employment nodes. Rather, the office employment becomes specialized as the county becomes more urba nized.