Global interlock ties of financial firms: insights from network analysis

ABSTRACT

Financial firms are pivotal nodes in corporate networks due to their central role in controlling financial capital. While the position of financial firms in board interlock networks is well-studied within nation-states, it is an open question if their central position transcends across borders. This visualisation utilises social network analysis to map the board interlock connections among 112 global financial firms featured in the Forbes Global ranking. The results delineate a core group of globally interconnected firms, reveal the diversity in network formation strategies, and assess the extent of cross-sector connections. This visualisation enriches the literature on global financial networks and interlocking global city networks by illustrating the interconnections among financial firms across spatial boundaries.

KEYWORDS:

• financial firms
• corporate networks
• corporate interlocks
• social network analysis
• global financial networks
• cross-sector connections

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Horizon 2020 Framework Programme [Grant Number 638946].