Work

Discontinuity of required oral and literacy skills across job roles in achieving high work performance: An fsQCA approach

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores how the English proficiency of local employees in foreign subsidiaries of multinational enterprises mitigates language barriers and improves their work performance. A research framework is developed by introducing the multidimensionality of foreign language proficiency and employing insights from applied linguistics, the brain-drain model, and media synchronicity theory. By using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis for data analysis, this study finds that the relative importance of English literacy skill to oral skill in achieving high work performance varies across positions in foreign subsidiaries. Discontinuity of required linguistic skills between managerial and nonmanagerial positions implies that incremental development of a skill set required for lower positions does not assure successful capability development toward upper positions. This study also finds that competence that supports appropriate usage of English in a specific context plays an important role in mitigating language barriers and achieving high work performance.

Source: International Business Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2022.102072

Authors: Manami Suzuki, Naoki Ando, Hidehiko Nishikawa

Institution: Hosei University

Language: English

Topic: Language, Communication, and Linguistic Studies

Subfield: Communication

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,620