World cities: A first multivariate analysis of their service complexes

In consideration of the local-global nexus it is commonplace to emphasise m ultiple 'locals'; in this paper, we introduce multiple 'globals' in the sen se of differences in firm's globalisation strategies. Building upon the col lection of a unique set of data showing advanced producer service office ne tworks for 46 major firms in 55 world cities, the major dimensions of varia bility in this geography are explored using principal components analyses. An R-mode analysis shows similarities in firm's location patterns and 14 di stinctive cross-city profiles of firms are identified. A key finding is tha t different producer services tend to have different cross-city profiles. A Q-mode analysis groups world cities in terms of similar corporate location s and 9 corporate service mixes are identified. A key finding is that most cities group into regional or interregional clusters; London and New York ( but not Tokyo) are exceptional in forming their own distinctive 'global cit y' dimension. The overall conclusion is that world city formation, a core p rocess of globalisation, has created a rich and informative geographical co mplexity. Since there is order to the complexity, the paper finishes with a multifarious research agenda derived from this first comprehensive, compar ative analysis of world cities.