Local intermediaries and their organisational identification in a French subsidiary

Abstract

The paper explores identification processes among subsidiary employees who function as intermediaries between the subsidiary and headquarters thanks to their competencies in the common corporate language. The study is based on a qualitative in-depth case study and adopts a social constructionist approach to identification. The paper adds theoretically to the literature on languages in international business in three ways. First, it illustrates that fulfilling a role as local intermediary affects identification processes among subsidiary employees. Second, the paper shows that the literature on organisational identification contributes in conceptualising local intermediaries' motivation for identification in terms of self-enhancement and sense-making. Third, the empirical analysis indicates that feelings of self-esteem and sense-making may derive from symbolic resources for constructing workplace-related identities that prevail within the societal context of the subsidiary. In terms of managerial relevance, the study shows the importance of identifying the subsidiary employees that fulfil roles as local intermediaries in order to recognise their efforts and to foster organisational identification. When doing so, it might be relevant to consider prevailing symbolic resources in the local context, rather than the language.