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What's in a word? Adopting a linguistic-style analysis of western MNCs’ global press releases

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Antioco

    (EDHEC - EDHEC Business School - UCL - Université catholique de Lille)

  • Kristof Coussement

    (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Chavi Chi-Yun Fletcher-Chen

    (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Christiane Prange

    (Tongji University)

Abstract

We advance research on the impact of business English as a lingua franca (BELF) on the communication of multinational companies (MNCs). Study 1 helps predict country-level variations of linguistic style in the English language of 2,223 press releases from US, UK, German, and French companies. Press releases are a specific genre of narratives used to engage investors. Study 2 demonstrates in a controlled quasi-experimental setting that adapting linguistic styles alongside well-established frameworks of cultural values can shape investors' attitudes and intentions. Within-language linguistic style differences in the use of BELF can create barriers to communication fairly overlooked in International Business.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Antioco & Kristof Coussement & Chavi Chi-Yun Fletcher-Chen & Christiane Prange, 2023. "What's in a word? Adopting a linguistic-style analysis of western MNCs’ global press releases," Post-Print hal-04130917, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04130917
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2022.101414
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