Developing Language Operative Capacity in a Subsidiary of a German MNC in China

Bibliographic Data

ID21180466
AuthorsKe Zhao (0000-0002-9974-4901), Zhao Ke (0000-0002-8953-5161, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics), Xiaowen Ye (0000-0002-7047-0038, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics), Yu Zhang (0000-0002-0059-270X, Global Services (Slovakia)), Thomas Wienold
Year2021
Volume86
Pages55-67
Publication date2021-04-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCírculo de lingüística aplicada a la comunicación (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1576-4737 • E-ISSN: 1576-4737
PublisherUniversidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.5209/clac.75495
OpenAlexW3172044769
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited35

One of the key challenges of language management in multinational companies is developing corporate language capacities to fulfil business goals. Yet the notion of corporate language capacity remains to be explored and developed in research. To address this gap, this study aims to conceptualise corporate language operative capacity and investigate how it is developed at a German multinational corporation that specialises in providing business software. Participants in this study were six staff members at different levels, namely two vice presidents and four senior managers from different departments. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and document analysis. Qualitative analyses indicated senior management’s conceptualisation of languages as a sophisticated, dynamic and multi-functioning system in support of the company’s global strategy. Developing corporate language operative capacity requires the acquisition, deployment and development of language resources derived from interactions among human capital, social-cultural capital and technological capital. Analyses of the data also identified middle-level management’s role in designing and implementing language-related activities to support the corporate goal of developing corporate language operative capacity

Business · Comprehension approach · Corporate communication · Corporate governance · Corporation · German · Knowledge management · Language education · Language industry · Linguistics · Multinational corporation · Pedagogy · Sociology · Software deployment · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Second Language Learning and Teaching · Finance