Abstract
This study examined interurban linkages in the international urban system between Korea and Japan through interfirm alliances. The data used in this study were obtained from the three major economic newspapers in Japan published by Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc., which are The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, The Nikkei Industrial Daily, and The Nikkei Marketing Journal. The results are summarized as follows : 1. According to the indices by the Murayama model, the overall pattern of development of interfirm alliances suggests that : (1) enterprises based in the world cities (Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul) play the most important role ; (2) the linkages among the other cities are still weak ; and (3) the alliances associated with the enterprises based in Tokyo and Seoul has particularly developed. 2. A discriminatory analysis of relationships between industry group and inter-urban linkages revealed that: (1) within the inter-world city linkages, the alliances of enterprises engaged in various industries developed, especially the machinery manufacture industries ; and (2) as regards the inter-nonmetropolitan city linkages, alliances are not found in the industries associated with the producer service, such as banking and insurance, and transport and communications. 3. Various factors have brought about concentration of the alliances among the world cities in Korea and Japan, especially, among the big business groups (kigyoshudan) located in Tokyo and Seoul, with their strong networks with subsidiary and affiliated firms.
