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It is not only what you say, but how you say it: A language attitude perspective of skilled migrants' culture-related linguistic skills and workplace integration in multinational corporations

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  • Xie, Jinju
  • Peltokorpi, Vesa

Abstract

This study adopts an abductive approach, drawing on the language attitude perspective and interviews with 168 skilled migrants (SMs) to examine how and why culture-related language differences influence the workplace integration of SMs in Japan-based multinational corporations (MNCs). Our analysis shows that three culture-related language differences — (1) honorifics, (2) indirect expressions, and (3) empathic expressions — lead local employees to categorize SMs as outgroup members and to negatively evaluate their professional and managerial abilities. Despite having high general language proficiency, SMs continue to occupy disadvantaged positions in local MNCs, primarily due to local employees' negative assessments of actual or perceived differences in culture-related linguistic skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Xie, Jinju & Peltokorpi, Vesa, 2025. "It is not only what you say, but how you say it: A language attitude perspective of skilled migrants' culture-related linguistic skills and workplace integration in multinational corporations," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intman:v:31:y:2025:i:2:s1075425325000134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intman.2025.101235
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