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Speaking in Tongues : The Importance of Language in International Management Processes

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  • DENICE WELCH
  • LAWRENCE WELCH
  • REBECCA PIEKKARI

Abstract

This paper considers recent research on language effects in some international management situations, specifically, intraorganizational interactions, such as interunit communication and subsidiary autonomy, and in postmerger integration. Within the multinational corporation (MNC), the need for control and coordination has driven the move toward language standardization, in the form of a common corporate language, with widespread effects on management processes. Our analysis indicates that, while important, language issues have been relatively ignored but may offer a rewarding research avenue regarding the functioning of the MNC, with potentially important implications for management.

Suggested Citation

  • Denice Welch & Lawrence Welch & Rebecca Piekkari, 2005. "Speaking in Tongues : The Importance of Language in International Management Processes," International Studies of Management & Organization, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 10-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:mimoxx:v:35:y:2005:i:1:p:10-27
    DOI: 10.1080/00208825.2005.11043723
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    Cited by:

    1. Amy Church-Morel & Anne Bartel-Radic, 2016. "Skills, Identity, and Power: The Multifaceted Concept of Language Diversity [Competencias, identidad y poder: las múltiples facetas del concepto de diversidad lingüística]," Post-Print halshs-01996048, HAL.
    2. Talukder, Sazzad & Barner-Rasmussen, Wilhelm, 2024. "Exploring the language choice dilemma of international small firms: A social exchange perspective on English-only versus multilingualism," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3).
    3. Denice E. Welch & Lawrence S. Welch, 2008. "The importance of language in international knowledge transfer," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 339-360, May.
    4. Jiménez, Alfredo & Bayraktar, Secil, 2021. "Hello! Namaste? Within-country linguistic diversity and infrastructure projects in emerging markets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 86-97.
    5. Ashish Malik & Ralf Bebenroth, 2017. "Mind Your Language! : Role of Target Firm Language in Post-Merger Integration," Discussion Paper Series DP2017-15, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    6. Navío-Marco, Julio & Solórzano-García, Marta & Matilla-García, Mariano & Urueña, Alberto, 2016. "Language as a key factor of long-term value creation in mergers and acquisitions in the telecommunications sector," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(10), pages 1052-1063.
    7. Peltokorpi, Vesa, 2007. "Intercultural communication patterns and tactics: Nordic expatriates in Japan," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(1), pages 68-82, February.
    8. Liu, Xiaohui & Gao, Lan & Lu, Jiangyong & Wei, Yingqi, 2015. "The role of highly skilled migrants in the process of inter-firm knowledge transfer across borders," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 56-68.
    9. König, Andreas & Fehn, Angela & Puck, Jonas & Graf-Vlachy, Lorenz, 2017. "Primary or complex? Towards a theory of metaphorical strategy communication in MNCs," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 270-285.
    10. Amy Church-Morel & A. Bartel-Radic, 2014. ""Not all multilingual teams are created equal " : Conceptualizing language diversity management," Post-Print halshs-01185822, HAL.
    11. Björkman, Anette & Piekkari, Rebecca, 2009. "Language and foreign subsidiary control: An empirical test," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 105-117, March.
    12. Steyaert, Chris & Ostendorp, Anja & Gaibrois, Claudine, 2011. "Multilingual organizations as 'linguascapes': Negotiating the position of English through discursive practices," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 270-278, July.
    13. Summerville, Karoline M. & Chen, Victor Zitian & Shoham, Amir & Taras, Vasyl, 2024. "Speaking of diversity: Can linguistic structural differences explain cultural values toward equity, diversity, and inclusion across the globe?," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(1).
    14. Tokunaga, Masahiro & Suganuma, Keiko & Odagiri, Nami, 2018. "From Russia to Eurasia : Specific Features of the “Russosphere” from the Perspective of Business Activities of Japanese Firms," RRC Working Paper Series 77, Russian Research Center, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    15. Yun Zhao & Ronghui Zhao & Yuanyuan Liu, 2022. "An ethnographic study of multilingual language policy localization with a focus on the resolution of communication problems in international Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs)," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    16. 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.
    17. Janowicz-Panjaitan, Martyna & Noorderhaven, Niels G., 2008. "Formal and informal interorganizational learning within strategic alliances," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 1337-1355, September.
    18. Jihad Ait Soussane & Mohamed Yassine Fakhouri & Ayoub Sabir Almaslouhi & Zahra Mansouri, . "Does language affect the location choice of developing-economy MNEs? The case of Moroccan outward FDI," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    19. Hurmerinta, Leila & Nummela, Niina & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, Eriikka, 2015. "Opening and closing doors: The role of language in international opportunity recognition and exploitation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 1082-1094.
    20. Aichhorn, Nathalie & Puck, Jonas, 2017. "Bridging the language gap in multinational companies: Language strategies and the notion of company-speak," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 386-403.
    21. Wang, Mingchu & Wei, Yingqi & Azumah, Gideon & Wang, Catherine L., 2024. "African returnees in international knowledge transfer: A social capital perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    22. Latukha, Marina & Doleeva, Anna & Järlström, Maria & Jokinen, Tiina & Piekkari, Rebecca, 2016. "Does corporate language influence career mobility? Evidence from MNCs in Russia," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 363-373.
    23. Lauring, Jakob & Selmer, Jan, 2012. "International language management and diversity climate in multicultural organizations," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 156-166.

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