Abstract
A fast growing number of studies demonstrates that language diversity influences almost all management decisions in modern multinational corporations. Whereas no doubt remains about the practical importance of language, the empirical investigation and theoretical conceptualization of its complex and multifaceted effects still presents a substantial challenge. To summarize and evaluate the current state of the literature in a coherent picture informing future research, we systematically review 264 articles on language in international business. We scrutinize the geographic distributions of data, evaluate the field’s achievements to date in terms of theories and methodologies, and summarize core findings by individual, group, firm, and country levels of analysis. For each of these dimensions, we then put forward a future research agenda. We encourage scholars to transcend disciplinary boundaries and to draw on, integrate, and test a variety of theories from disciplines such as psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience to gain a more profound understanding of language in international business. We advocate more multi-level studies and cross-national research collaborations and suggest greater attention to potential new data sources and means of analysis.
Highlights
30 years ago, a review of nearly 500 English-language management texts (Holden 1987) demonstrated that only very few authors considered language, and those who did quickly brushed over the topic without considering its complexity
But simplistic understanding of top management mandating that a specific national tongue must always be chosen (Berthoud et al 2015), scholars have started to recognize the complexities of common corporate languages, which ‘‘often reflect the industry context and the national language environment in the country of origin’’ (Brannen et al 2014, p. 497; Brannen and Doz 2012)
As we note a growing body of research drawing on concepts from a variety of disciplines and employing diverse methodologies, many international business scholars have gained a better understanding of the function and role of language within their subject area
Summary
30 years ago, a review of nearly 500 English-language management texts (Holden 1987) demonstrated that only very few authors considered language, and those who did quickly brushed over the topic without considering its complexity. But simplistic understanding of top management mandating that a specific national tongue (mostly English) must always be chosen (Berthoud et al 2015), scholars have started to recognize the complexities of common corporate languages, which ‘‘often reflect the industry context and the national language environment in the country of origin’’ The role of English constitutes the third facet of language frequently studied in business Depending on their disciplinary socialization, international business scholars varyingly conceptualize English as a hegemonic force (Tietze and Dick 2013), which recreates postcolonial power structures (Boussebaa et al 2014) or as a more neutral communicative tool in the form of business English as a lingua franca (BELF) (Kankaanranta and Planken 2010).
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