When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged and prompted the widespread adoption of remote work, it raised questions about how English-speaking employees within multinational corporations adjusted to this new reality.
In today’s interconnected global economy, where English has emerged as the de facto language of business, possessing a certain level of proficiency in the local language can offer expatriates distinct advantages. Nevertheless, not all individuals possess fluency or the ability to navigate linguistic hurdles unaided.
A recent study conducted by a team of researchers at Kyoto University sheds light on the manner in which expatriates proficient in local languages managed to modify the nature of their assigned responsibilities. The findings reveal that these individuals engaged in a practice known as “job crafting,” wherein they proactively tailored their job roles to align with loftier objectives and more demanding tasks.
In contrast, expatriates lacking fluency in the local language employed a different approach, resorting to “avoidance job crafting” as a means to alleviate their workload and mitigate stress levels. By circumventing certain responsibilities, they aimed to reduce the burdens associated with language-related challenges.
This investigation underscores the adaptive strategies employed by English-speaking employees of multinational corporations during the pandemic-induced shift to remote work. While some leveraged their proficiency in local languages to reconfigure their job roles towards more ambitious endeavors, others opted for a path of avoidance to alleviate the pressures stemming from linguistic barriers. These divergent approaches shed light on the nuanced responses of expatriates grappling with the demands of remote work within a globalized business environment.
“We find that when companies provide their non-fluent expat staff with local language support, the tendency to use avoidance job crafting decreases,” the researchers explain.
Fluency helps
Fluency in the local language equips expatriates with the ability to proactively navigate the challenges associated with transitioning to a new environment, characterized by the absence of face-to-face interaction.
Conversely, individuals lacking fluency are prone to adopting a passive approach to their job responsibilities within such settings, particularly when tasks involve gathering information through the local language.
A comprehensive study conducted in 2020 surveyed 994 expatriates, whose average age stood at 32, encompassing a diverse range of industries across eight countries spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Notably, these expatriates exhibited varying degrees of proficiency in the English language.
The research team discovered a compelling correlation between active support from companies in enhancing their employees’ language skills and a diminished likelihood of resorting to avoidance behavior. This suggests that fostering an environment that facilitates language improvement can yield positive outcomes for both expatriates and their respective organizations.
“Having expat employees with local language skills—especially when forced to work remotely—may be a powerful asset for an organization,” they conclude.
