Limits of a second language: Native and second languages in management team communication

Arnulf, J. K., et al. (2021). "Limits of a second language: Native and second languages in management team communication." Frontiers in Psychology 12.

15 Pages Posted: 24 Sep 2021

Date Written: September 21, 2021

Abstract

Cultural differences in speech acts are common challenges in management involving
Chinese and Western managers. Comparing four groups – Native-speaking Chinese,
English-speaking Chinese, Chinese-speaking Westerners, and non-Chinese- speaking
Westerners, we assessed the effects of language and ethnicity on the ability to predict
communication obstacles in a management team scenario. Bilingual subjects were less
likely to be influenced by ethnic biases. Still, bilinguals were not more likely to adjust
their metacognitions about communication toward those of the native speakers. The
study creates a link between management, cognition and linguistics, as well as having
consequences for the study of metacognition in cross-cultural management.

Keywords: second language speakers, management teams, communication, China, meta-cognition, international organizations

Suggested Citation

Arnulf, Jan Ketil, Limits of a second language: Native and second languages in management team communication (September 21, 2021). Arnulf, J. K., et al. (2021). "Limits of a second language: Native and second languages in management team communication." Frontiers in Psychology 12., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3927694

Jan Ketil Arnulf (Contact Author)

BI Norwegian Business School ( email )

Nydalsveien 37
Oslo, 0442
Norway

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
3
Abstract Views
160
PlumX Metrics