Never enough? A psychological contract perspective on migrants' efforts at local-language acquisition in work-related contexts

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6141339
AutoresJagat Bahadur Kunwar (Finland University, autor correspondente), Wilhelm Barner‐rasmussen (0000-0002-4847-6716, Åbo Akademi University)
Ano2025
Páginas1-31
Data de publicação2025-11-17
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCross Cultural & Strategic Management (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2059-5794 • E-ISSN: 2059-5808
EditoraEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/ccsm-10-2024-0258
OpenAlexW4416268474
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas86

Purpose Using psychological contract (PC) theory, this study aims to generate a typology for migrants' reasoning about learning their host country's language and explain the pathways behind each type with a focus on work-related outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach based on chi-square tests and a hierarchical cluster analysis of 201 survey responses together with a thematic analysis of 31 qualitative interviews among Asian migrants in Finland. Findings We identify five local language-acquisition trajectories with associated PC consequences: “disenchanted quitters”, “proactive seekers”, “inertial learners”, “fast integrators” and “late bloomers”. Originality/value This typology sheds light on migrants' positions on their host country's language and offers practical guidance for both migrants and host countries, particularly ones where English is not the dominant language