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Language policies and practices in wholly owned foreign subsidiaries : A recontextualization perspective

Author

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  • Eero Vaara

    (EM - EMLyon Business School)

  • Vesa Peltokorpi

Abstract

This study adopts a recontextualization perspective on language policies and practices in wholly owned foreign subsidiaries. Drawing on a field study of 101 subsidiaries in Japan, we develop a contingency model that distinguishes between four different types of recontextualization with characteristic language policies and practices: developing/locally adaptive, developing/globally integrated, established/locally adaptive, and established/globally integrated. Our analysis shows how each of these four types is accompanied by specific problems and challenges. In particular, it elucidates five important aspects of language implementation: (1) the emergence of language praxis from the interplay of headquarters strategies and local responses; (2) the hybridization of language practices; (3) the central role of key actors such as subsidiary presidents in recontextualization; (4) the pervasive power implications of language policies and practices; and (5) the multifaceted implications for strategic human resource management. By so doing, our analysis opens up new avenues for context-specific and practice-oriented studies of language in multinational companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Eero Vaara & Vesa Peltokorpi, 2012. "Language policies and practices in wholly owned foreign subsidiaries : A recontextualization perspective," Post-Print hal-02312975, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02312975
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