How Language Problems Affect International Academic Careers in Management

Abstract

Based on qualitative interviews with foreign management scholars working at leading business schools in Japan, Finland, Spain and the USA, we investigate how language barriers influence the careers of management scholars working outside their native language area. We explore the influence of English as the lingua franca of academia and the local languages used by business schools in different countries on (1) foreign management scholars’ performance in publishing, teaching and administrative work as major career antecedents and on (2) recruitment and promotion opportunities as key career outcomes. We find, among others, that the impact of language on career advancement strongly differs depending on (1) the English proficiency of local faculty and staff and on (2) the international recruits’ ability to work in the local language. On this basis, we develop important practical recommendations for internationally mobile management scholars and business schools aiming to attract international faculty.