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Sources and consequences of communication problems in foreign subsidiaries: The case of United States firms in South Korea

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  • Park, Hoon
  • Sun Dai Hwang
  • Harrison, J. Kline

Abstract

Communication problems in foreign subsidiaries stem from a variety of sources and lead to a number of negative consequences for both parent country and host country managers. This article focuses on such sources and consequences by investigating United States (US) firms in South Korea. The results indicate that expatriate managers experience more significant communication problems than their host country counterparts, as well as more difficulty regarding personal adjustment, interpersonal relations, and task performance.

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  • Park, Hoon & Sun Dai Hwang & Harrison, J. Kline, 1996. "Sources and consequences of communication problems in foreign subsidiaries: The case of United States firms in South Korea," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 79-98, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:5:y:1996:i:1:p:79-98
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Marschan-Piekkari, Rebecca & Welch, Denice & Welch, Lawrence, 1999. "In the shadow: the impact of language on structure, power and communication in the multinational," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 8(4), pages 421-440, August.
    3. Vesa Peltokorpi, 2023. "The “language” of career success: The effects of English language competence on local employees’ career outcomes in foreign subsidiaries," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(2), pages 258-284, March.
    4. Freeman, Susan & Lindsay, Sarah, 2012. "The effect of ethnic diversity on expatriate managers in their host country," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 253-268.
    5. Peltokorpi, Vesa, 2022. "Headhunter-assisted recruiting practices in foreign subsidiaries and their (dys)functional effects: An institutional work perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(6).
    6. Vesa Peltokorpi & Markus Pudelko, 2021. "When more is not better: A curvilinear relationship between foreign language proficiency and social categorization," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(1), pages 78-104, February.
    7. Björkman, Anette & Piekkari, Rebecca, 2009. "Language and foreign subsidiary control: An empirical test," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 105-117, March.
    8. Abraham Ansu Kanneh & Olawumi Dele Awolusi, 2021. "Staff Assignment Rotation and Project Sustainability in South Sudan," Journal of Education and Vocational Research, AMH International, vol. 12(1), pages 38-56.
    9. Eunbi Kim, 2023. "Top management staffing and subsidiary performance under home-country uncertainty," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(4), pages 1513-1543, September.
    10. Peltokorpi, Vesa & Yamao, Sachiko, 2017. "Corporate language proficiency in reverse knowledge transfer: A moderated mediation model of shared vision and communication frequency," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 404-416.
    11. Moon, Yun Ji & Choi, Myeonggil & Armstrong, Deborah J., 2018. "The impact of relational leadership and social alignment on information security system effectiveness in Korean governmental organizations," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 54-66.
    12. Wang, Dan & Feng, Taiwen & Freeman, Susan & Fan, Di & Zhu, Cherrie Jiuhua, 2014. "Unpacking the “skill – cross-cultural competence” mechanisms: Empirical evidence from Chinese expatriate managers," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 530-541.

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