Global Cities and Multinational Enterprises: integrating the existing concepts for future research studies

Abstract

Global Cities (GCs) and Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) shape the modern world economy in a very distinct way. To date, both have been given a lot of attention in the literature, but relatively few studies have been written linking these two important threads of deliberation, leaving the aspects of the relationships between GCs and MNEs largely unexplored. This is surprising, as GCs and MNEs are not sole players but symbionts in the world economy. Hence, the intention of the authors – and the aim of this paper – is to overview these issues and connect GC and MNE threads in order to provide a platform for future research studies. By adopting an evolutionary approach and integrating the perspectives of economic geography, urban studies and international business, the paper identifies several research areas that may be fundamental to the GC–MNE discussion. They have been grouped in the following five thematic categories: global trends, international and country-specific factors; heterogeneity and transformation of global cities; MNE internationalization motivations and different market entry modes; global cities and global value chains; outcomes of MNE activity.