Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1002225 | Journal of World Business | 2011 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
The body of case study-based research on language in multinational corporations (MNCs) is growing, but its findings have as yet been subjected to limited statistical validation. In this paper we use quantitative functional-level data to chart language use in subsidiaries’ communication with other MNC units and local partner firms, and to analyze some consequences of these patterns against the background of previous qualitative work in the area. Our findings confirm that MNCs are indeed multilingual, but that language fluency varies significantly across functions and organizational levels. This has important implications for communication, knowledge sharing and the viability of formal language strategies.
Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities
Business, Management and Accounting
Business and International Management
Authors
Wilhelm Barner-Rasmussen, Christoffer Aarnio,