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Cultural Accommodation and Language Priming

Author

Listed:
  • Dirk Akkermans

    (University of Groningen)

  • Anne-Wil Harzing

    (University of Melbourne)

  • Arjen Witteloostuijn

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

This paper explores three arguments. First, cultural accommodation by living in another culture for a while may have a long-lasting but partially dormant influence on behavior. Second, foreign language is a prime, activating behavior associated with this language. Third, a foreign language is expected to be a particularly forceful prime for those who have lived in a country where this language is spoken. We explore this logic in a prisoner’s dilemma quasi-experiment that focuses on competitive versus cooperative behavior. Testing our predictions with 358 Dutch students, we found that previous exposure to an Anglophone culture with higher values for masculinity, performance orientation and assertiveness negatively influences cooperative behavior in a prisoner’s dilemma game when the game is played in English.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Akkermans & Anne-Wil Harzing & Arjen Witteloostuijn, 2010. "Cultural Accommodation and Language Priming," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 50(5), pages 559-583, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:50:y:2010:i:5:d:10.1007_s11575-010-0053-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-010-0053-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Tenzer, Helene & Terjesen, Siri & Harzing, Anne-Wil, 2017. "Language in international business : A review and agenda for future research," Other publications TiSEM 8afd108a-9666-4fbb-934f-6, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. Alobidyeen Buthina, 2020. "The Impact of Self-improvement (Etqan) on Employees Effectiveness Case of Jordan," International Journal of Business and Administrative Studies, Professor Dr. Bahaudin G. Mujtaba, vol. 6(6), pages 337-345.
    3. Diemo Urbig & Katrin Muehlfeld & Vivien Procher & Arjen Witteloostuijn, 2020. "Strategic Decision-Making in a Global Context: The Comprehension Effect of Foreign Language Use on Cooperation," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 351-385, June.
    4. Alobidyeen Buthina & Rowlands Hefin & Thomas Brychan & Cook Caryn, 2020. "Impact of Arab Islamic Culture on Employees’ Effectiveness from the Employees’ Perspective in Commercial Banks Case of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," International Journal of Business and Administrative Studies, Professor Dr. Bahaudin G. Mujtaba, vol. 6(3), pages 162-170.
    5. David P. Kroon & Joep P. Cornelissen & Eero Vaara, 2015. "Explaining Employees’ Reactions towards a Cross-Border Merger: The Role of English Language Fluency," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 55(6), pages 775-800, December.
    6. Ting Liu, 2018. "The Review of Language Studies in International Business: Suggestions and Future Directions for Japan," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 18-30, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    7. Sapulete, Saraï & van Witteloostuijn, Arjen & Kaufmann, Wesley, 2014. "An experimental study into the influence of works council advice on managerial decision-making," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 358-371.
    8. Amanda Budde-Sung, 2013. "The Invisible Meets the Intangible: Culture’s Impact on Intellectual Property Protection," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 345-359, October.
    9. Debmalya Mukherjee & Satish Kumar & Naveen Donthu & Nitesh Pandey, 2021. "Research Published in Management International Review from 2006 to 2020: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Directions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 599-642, October.
    10. Peter J. Buckley, 2018. "Internalisation Theory and Outward Direct Investment by Emerging Market Multinationals," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 58(2), pages 195-224, April.
    11. Ott, Ursula F., 2013. "International Business Research and Game Theory: Looking beyond the Prisoner's Dilemma," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 480-491.
    12. Alempaki, Despoina & Doğan, Gönül & Yang, Yang, 2021. "Lying in a foreign language?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 946-961.
    13. Helene Tenzer & Siri Terjesen & Anne-Wil Harzing, 2017. "Language in International Business: A Review and Agenda for Future Research," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 57(6), pages 815-854, December.

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