Integrating World Cities into Production Networks: The Case of Port Cities

Abstract

This paper analyses the location patterns of firms that provide specialized advanced producer services (APS) to international commodity chains that move through seaports. Such activities can take place in world cities or in port cities. The analysis of APS location patterns in port cities provides a good opportunity to integrate the study of world cities into the framework of global production networks. Based upon our empirical findings, we conclude that while port-related APS activities predominantly follow the world city hierarchy, a number of port cities stand out because they act as nodes in global commodity flows and as centres of advanced services related to shipping and port activities. Based upon these empirical findings we address future avenues of research.

The Mediterranean Port Economy

“…One of the existing studies looks at the leading cities in advanced maritime producer services, defined as multi-office firms for maritime insurance, law and consultancy (Jacobs et al 2010). In this study Marseille and Mersin do not figure among the top 20 European cities with the largest number of establishments for Advanced Producer Services (APS).…”

Competitiveness of Port-Cities: The Case of Marseille-Fos, France

“…One of the existing studies looks at the leading cities in advanced maritime producer services, defined as multi-office firms for maritime insurance, law and consultancy (Jacobs et al 2010). In this study Marseille does not figure among the top 20 European cities with the largest number of establishments for Advanced Producer Services (APS).…”

Development of urban hierarchies at the country and regional levels in Turkey

“…Increasing global interactions (Jacobs, Ducruet, & De Langen, 2010) it was the 24th among the world cities with respect to location of headquarters and first class subsidiaries of the world's 100 largest corporations (Godfrey & Zhou, 1999). As a result of continuous rural migration due to its jobs and education opportunities, its growth was already above the capacity of the country and there was a break in the urban hierarchy ( Figure 5).…”