How can global city attributes explain international strategic alliance formation?

This paper investigates the importance of microlocation factors in FDI. Combining the literature on international business and economic geography, we focus on how the spatial determinants, measured as global city attributes, affect international strategic alliance formation patterns. Methodologically, we investigate this through a configurational analysis of American companies having created international strategic alliances during 2015 and 2019. We identify three types of city clusters where American partners have created international alliances. The identified city clusters are explained further by firm, industry, and national factors. Based on the findings, we conclude that spatial attributes should be included when understanding international alliance formation.