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The impact of language barriers on knowledge processing in multinational teams

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  • Tenzer, Helene
  • Pudelko, Markus
  • Zellmer-Bruhn, Mary

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates how language diversity in multinational teams affects communication, which, in turn, influences knowledge processing. We show that evident language barriers (lack of lexical and syntactical proficiency) reduce participation in team communication, which impedes both basic and sophisticated knowledge processing activities. We also demonstrate that hidden language barriers (pragmatic and prosodic transfer between mother tongues and working language) impair sensemaking in the team, which disrupts sophisticated knowledge processing activities. By highlighting the relevance of hidden barriers, our study encourages a more comprehensive conceptualization of language barriers and uncovers the micro-foundations of knowledge processing in multilingual teams. Contrasting evident and hidden barriers, our study juxtaposes the instrumental and the cultural perspective on language. By distinguishing basic and sophisticated knowledge processing activities, we weigh the information processing against the socio-cognitive perspective on knowledge. We integrate these divergent perspectives on language and knowledge processing both within and across the respective research fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Tenzer, Helene & Pudelko, Markus & Zellmer-Bruhn, Mary, 2021. "The impact of language barriers on knowledge processing in multinational teams," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:56:y:2021:i:2:s1090951620301127
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2020.101184
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    Cited by:

    1. Tarikul Islam & Erhua Zhou, 2024. "Unpacking the Reasons Shaping Employee Acceptance and Attitudes towards AI Assistant Services in the Hotel Industry: A Behavioral Reasoning Perspective," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 14(5), pages 1-7.
    2. Loderer, Anja & Muehlfeld, Katrin & Wilken, Robert & Moritz, Alexandra & Slomski, Véronique, 2024. "The language barrier as a springboard towards (team) creativity: An exploratory study of foreign language use in teams," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(2).
    3. Vuchkovski, Davor & Zalaznik, Maja & Mitręga, Maciej & Pfajfar, Gregor, 2023. "A look at the future of work: The digital transformation of teams from conventional to virtual," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    4. Magnani, Giovanna & Gioia, Denny, 2023. "Using the Gioia Methodology in international business and entrepreneurship research," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).
    5. Peipei Pan & Chris Patel, 2024. "Do Internal Auditors Make Consistent Ethical Judgments in English and Chinese in Reporting Wrongdoing?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 194(2), pages 433-453, October.
    6. Antioco, Michael & Coussement, Kristof & Fletcher-Chen, Chavi Chi-Yun & Prange, Christiane, 2023. "What's in a word? Adopting a linguistic-style analysis of western MNCs’ global press releases," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(2).
    7. Jos Hornikx & Frank Meurs & Helene Tenzer, 2024. "Foreign languages in advertising: Theoretical implications for language-related IB research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 55(2), pages 270-279, March.
    8. Ma, Hongjia & Xiao, Bin & Guo, Hai & Tang, Sisi & Singh, Deeksha, 2022. "Modeling entrepreneurial team faultlines: Collectivism, knowledge hiding, and team stability," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 726-736.
    9. Suzuki, Manami & Ando, Naoki & Nishikawa, Hidehiko, 2023. "Discontinuity of required oral and literacy skills across job roles in achieving high work performance: An fsQCA approach," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).
    10. Kelly Z. Peng & Fang Lee Cooke & Xuhua Wei, 2023. "Managing minority employees in organizations in Asia Pacific: Towards a more inclusive workplace?," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 877-902, September.
    11. Shen, Rui & Guo, Hai & Ma, Hongjia, 2023. "How do entrepreneurs' cross-cultural experiences contribute to entrepreneurial ecosystem performance?," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(2).
    12. Barner-Rasmussen, Wilhelm & Gaibrois, Claudine & Wilmot, Natalie Victoria, 2024. "Perfection, hybridity or shutting up? A cross-country study of how language ideologies shape participation in international business," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1).
    13. Castellani, Davide & Perri, Alessandra & Scalera, Vittoria G., 2022. "Knowledge integration in multinational enterprises: The role of inventors crossing national and organizational boundaries," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(3).
    14. Ferraris, Alberto & Degbey, William Y. & Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Bresciani, Stefano & Castellano, Sylvaine & Fiano, Fabio & Couturier, Jerome, 2022. "Microfoundations of Strategic Agility in Emerging Markets: Empirical Evidence of Italian MNEs in India," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(2).
    15. Ponomareva, Yuliya & Uman, Timur & Bodolica, Virginia & Wennberg, Karl, 2022. "Cultural diversity in top management teams: Review and agenda for future research," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(4).
    16. Haans, Richard F.J. & van Witteloostuijn, Arjen, 2024. "Does foreign language liberate or limit creativity? Three experiments on foreign language anxiety and use, and divergent and convergent thinking," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(4).

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