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Explaining Employees' Reactions towards a Cross-Border Merger : The Role of English Language Fluency

Author

Listed:
  • David Kroon

    (VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam [Amsterdam])

  • Joep P. Cornelissen

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Eero Vaara

    (Aalto University, EM - EMLyon Business School, LUMS - Lancaster University Management School - Lancaster University)

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on the role of language in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and explore how organization members' language skills, or fluency, in the adopted lingua franca may impact their reactions to a merger. Drawing on a qualitative study of the post-merger integration between a French and Dutch airline where English was adopted as a lingua franca, we illustrate how language fluency influences the ability of individuals to give meaning to their changed circumstances. Moreover, we elaborate on how language fluency indexes social groupings and identities, and may thus be a driver of perceptions of status inequality and identity politics between different groups of employees. With our study we draw attention to the multi-faceted role of English as a lingua franca. Our findings also contribute to research on sociocultural dynamics associated with post-merger integration and the role of language in mergers and acquisitions, as well as in multinational companies more generally.

Suggested Citation

  • David Kroon & Joep P. Cornelissen & Eero Vaara, 2015. "Explaining Employees' Reactions towards a Cross-Border Merger : The Role of English Language Fluency," Post-Print hal-02313401, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02313401
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-015-0259-2
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Behl, Abhishek & Jayawardena, Nirma & Nigam, Achint & Pereira, Vijay & Shankar, Amit & Jebarajakirthy, Charles, 2023. "Investigating the revised international marketing strategies during COVID-19 based on resources and capabilities of the firms: A mixed method approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    2. Liu, Yipeng & Meyer, Klaus E., 2020. "Boundary spanners, HRM practices, and reverse knowledge transfer: The case of Chinese cross-border acquisitions," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(2).
    3. Päivi Karhunen & Anne Kankaanranta & Tiina Räisänen, 2023. "Towards a Richer Understanding of Language and Identity in the MNC: Constructing Cosmopolitan Identities Through “English”," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 507-530, June.
    4. Zahoor, Nadia & Khan, Zaheer & Sinkovics, Rudolf R., 2022. "The Role of Emotions in Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions: A Systematic Review of the Inter-Disciplinary Literature and Future Research Agenda," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    5. Tian, Xiaocong, 2022. "The art of rhetoric: Host country political hostility and the rhetorical strategies of foreign subsidiaries in developing economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(5).
    6. Lian, Zeng & Sun, Wenli & Xie, Dan & Zheng, Jie, 2021. "Cultural difference and China’s cross-border M&As: Language matters," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1205-1218.
    7. Maomao Feng & Hoe Kyeung Kim, 2022. "EFL Teachers’ Spatial Construction of Linguistic Identities for Sustainable Development in Globalization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.
    8. 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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