This paper, based on British evidence, examines the impact of business
reorganization on service activities in large metropolitan areas. Emp
loyment in head offices is declining, and growing head office demands
for business services are being supplied by local specialist service f
irms. As they grow, large metropolitan areas are increasingly becoming
the base for higher order managerial, business service and financial
services, with routine administration being relocated to their hinterl
and. In addition, the corporate service complex in large metropolitan
areas is more open and fragmented than is usually recognized, with fin
ancial services responding to their own frequently international dynam
ic.