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Unravelling the Global City Debate on Social Inequality: A Firm-level Analysis of Wage Inequality in Amsterdam and Rotterdam

Author

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  • Jeroen van der Waal

    (Department of Sociology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, 3000DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, vanderwaal@fsw.eur.nl)

  • Jack Burgers

    (Department of Sociology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, 3000DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, burgers@fsw.eur.nl)

Abstract

In this article, an assessment is made of the consequences of globalisation for urban wage inequality. Using data on employers in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, it is shown that simply equating global city formation with globalisation, when it comes to urban wage inequality—which is the common research practice in urban studies—leads to a blind spot for the impact of international competition, falsely equates economic restructuring with globalisation and strongly overrates the impact of globalisation on the urban wage structure. Global city formation does not lead to polarising tendencies, while exposure to international competition leads to upgrading tendencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeroen van der Waal & Jack Burgers, 2009. "Unravelling the Global City Debate on Social Inequality: A Firm-level Analysis of Wage Inequality in Amsterdam and Rotterdam," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(13), pages 2715-2729, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:46:y:2009:i:13:p:2715-2729
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009344944
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott, Allen J. (ed.), 2002. "Global City-Regions: Trends, Theory, Policy," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199252305.
    2. Jack Burgers & Sako Musterd, 2002. "Understanding Urban Inequality: A Model Based on Existing Theories and an Empirical Illustration," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 403-413, June.
    3. Chris Hamnett, 1994. "Social Polarisation in Global Cities: Theory and Evidence," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 31(3), pages 401-424, April.
    4. André Sapir & Mathias Dewatripont & Khalid Sekkat, 1999. "Trade and jobs in Europe: much ado about nothing?," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/8076, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    5. Dewatripont, Mathias & Sapir, Andre & Sekkat, Khalid (ed.), 1999. "Trade and Jobs in Europe: Much Ado About Nothing?," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198293606.
    6. Chris Hamnett, 1996. "Social Polarisation, Economic Restructuring and Welfare State Regimes," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 33(8), pages 1407-1430, October.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Arthur S. Alderson & Jason Beckfield, 2011. "Corporate Networks of World Cities," Chapters, in: Ben Derudder & Michael Hoyler & Peter J. Taylor & Frank Witlox (ed.), International Handbook of Globalization and World Cities, chapter 12, Edward Elgar Publishing.

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