MNCs and Communication: Solving Language Barriers

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Questions and Answers

According to presented data, which physical symptom of communication anxiety is LEAST frequently experienced?

  • Heart beating very fast
  • Forehead or hands sweating (correct)
  • Hands, legs, or body shaking
  • Voice sounded shaky

Based on the emotional reactions data, what is a common feeling individuals experience even after preparing for a presentation?

  • Feeling stressed and doubting their ability to perform well (correct)
  • Feeling indifferent about the presentation outcome
  • Feeling confident and eager to present
  • Feeling relaxed and unconcerned about potential mistakes

What primary action is emphasized to improve work value, regardless of the type of task?

  • Prioritizing individual work over group projects
  • Avoiding presentations to reduce anxiety
  • Minimizing preparation time to avoid stress
  • Investing time to prepare well (correct)

Which behavioural symptom is MOST likely displayed when experiencing communication anxiety?

<p>Fidgeting and restlessness (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual rates their experience of 'voice sounded shaky' as a 4. According to the provided scale, how would this be interpreted?

<p>Frequently experienced (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of the CEO regarding language at Grab, given its Southeast Asian driver base?

<p>The potential for miscommunication due to drivers' varying English proficiency. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'bridge individuals' strategy in the context of organizational solutions?

<p>Utilizing bilingual employees or expatriates to facilitate communication and understanding. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do expatriates contribute to organizational solutions beyond their primary job functions?

<p>By improving communication channels and building relationships informally. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do bilingual employees play in bridging gaps within an organization?

<p>Facilitating communication between different departments, such as IT and business. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of language training that is frequently used and paid for by a company?

<p>To improve employees' communication skills for better job performance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What organizational strategy is Grab implementing to support their drivers in Southeast Asia?

<p>Offering free fuel vouchers to drivers who complete a certain number of trips. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are expatriates referred to as 'bumble bees' in the context of organizational culture?

<p>They spread corporate culture through informal communication and relationship-building. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can structural solutions at an organizational level assist in language-related challenges?

<p>By establishing policies and systems that support multilingual communication and understanding. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When building redundancy into communication to overcome language barriers, what action would a listener likely take?

<p>Ask someone else to rephrase the information. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a multilingual corporate environment, what is the primary benefit of establishing a common corporate language for all official communication?

<p>It can foster a sense of belonging to a global family within the organization. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might Japanese interviewees report using redundancy strategies less frequently than German interviewees, according to the lecture?

<p>Japanese managers may be hesitant to appear incompetent. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might machine translation be considered an ineffective solution for facilitating communication in a global company?

<p>It often fails to provide an accurate or nuanced understanding of the original text. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can adjusting the mode of communication help mitigate language barriers in multinational corporations?

<p>By favoring written communication, which allows time for translation and careful consideration. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant drawback of relying on a single external translator for specialist documents and communications?

<p>The company becomes overly dependent on that individual, hindering internal language skill development. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do engineers sometimes experience fewer language barriers compared to managers in multinational corporations?

<p>Engineers communicate using controlled technical language, including numbers and drawings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of code-switching in a multilingual workplace?

<p>It can lead to irritation, exclusion, and mistrust among colleagues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a challenge with the implementation of the official company language policy?

<p>There was confusion about which language was the official company language. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What informal solution did Employee A use to communicate with his superior?

<p>He used a combination of the corporate language and code-switching. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of 'controlled language' that makes it useful for reducing language barriers?

<p>Its use of a limited vocabulary. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which communication mode is likely favored by Japanese managers and why?

<p>Email, because it allows them time to carefully compose and translate their messages. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with using external translators for board meetings and significant documents?

<p>Translators might lack familiarity with specialist terminology, business context, or technical subject matter. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Given the challenges of implementing a common corporate language, what strategy might be most effective for a multinational corporation to improve internal communications?

<p>Offer comprehensive language training, encourage cultural sensitivity, and strategically use translation services for key communications. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason German managers avoid writing long, informative emails?

<p>To avoid overwhelming non-native speakers with complex language. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the perception of employees regarding English proficiency and its impact on their careers?

<p>Employees viewed it as important for both promotion and recruitment within the company. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An inpatriate is best described as a:

<p>Subsidiary manager sent on a temporary assignment to the headquarters. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary function of both inpatriates and expatriates in a multinational corporation?

<p>Building relationships and improving communication channels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of parallel information networks within a multinational corporation?

<p>Creating 'shadow organizational structures' and potential conflicts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of multinational corporations, locally hired non-native managers are considered ideal bridge individuals primarily because:

<p>They possess familiarity with multiple cultures and languages. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Multinational Corporation X, based in Malaysia, expands to Vietnam and Cambodia and arranges orientation sessions for the subsidiary managers from Vietnam and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur, paying for their travel and accommodation. Which solution is Multinational Corporation X using?

<p>Organizing cross-cultural training and integration programs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the research by Harzing et al. (2011), what is a common tendency when individuals within a multinational corporation need information?

<p>They prefer to contact the person who shares their language, even if not the person in charge. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When might it be acceptable for employees to bypass formal channels and seek information from colleagues instead of designated superiors?

<p>When the informal communication does not undermine the superior's role and authority. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the 'bridge individual' concept in a multinational corporation?

<p>A locally hired manager who facilitates communication between the headquarters and the local subsidiary, leveraging their understanding of both cultures. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Personal solutions to language barriers

Individual approaches used to overcome communication difficulties in MNCs.

Organizational solutions to language barriers

Collective strategies implemented by companies to facilitate communication.

Multi-level solutions

A framework that includes various approaches to solve language issues at different levels.

Build in redundancy

Reinforcing communication by repeating or summarizing key information.

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Adjust mode of communication

Changing communication methods to suit the audience's language proficiency.

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Code-switching

Switching between languages in conversation, often to express comfort or identity.

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Informal solutions

Casual, day-to-day strategies to manage language barriers.

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Technical language

Specialized vocabulary used in specific fields to ease communication issues.

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Employee A's report

Employee A informed his superior about a delay due to a personal crisis.

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Corporate language policy

The official language for communication within a company, often English.

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Importance of English proficiency

English skills are viewed as essential for promotions and recruitment.

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Resistance to language change

Some managers continue to use German, ignoring the language policy.

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Machine translation

Using software to translate written materials into another language.

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Use of external translators

Hiring professionals for significant documents and meetings due to complexity.

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Dependence on single translator

Relying too much on one translator for important documents.

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Informal communication solutions

Everyday ways employees address language barriers in the workplace.

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Inpatriates

Managers sent temporarily from a subsidiary to the headquarters to strengthen global ties.

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Bridge Individuals

Locally hired non-native managers who connect different cultures and languages.

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Parallel Information Networks

Communication patterns where employees bypass formal channels for familiar contacts.

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Shadow Organisational Structures

Informal networks that arise when employees rely on familiar contacts for information instead of formal channels.

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Cultural Familiarity

Understanding different cultures enhances communication and reduces barriers.

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Communication Channels

Paths through which information is exchanged within an organization.

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Orientation Sessions

Meetings designed to introduce managers to new cultural and operational norms.

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Temporary Assignments

Short-term roles given to employees to fulfill specific organizational needs.

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Language Training Level

Refers to the support provided by a company for employees to improve their language skills.

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Grab Drivers' Language Concern

The worry that Southeast Asian drivers may not fully understand English.

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Corporate Language

The main language used in a company for communication.

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Bilingual Employees

Employees who speak two or more languages fluently, aiding communication across departments.

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Communication Networks

Informal channels through which information is shared within an organization.

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Free Fuel Vouchers

Incentives offered to Grab drivers for completing a certain number of trips.

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Linking Pins

Individuals who connect different groups or departments, enhancing communication.

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Communication Anxiety

The feeling of nervousness or fear when speaking to others, often leading to physical symptoms.

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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Bodily reactions like a fast heartbeat, shaky hands, or sweating felt during stressful communication.

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Emotional Reactions

Feelings of stress and fear associated with public speaking, evidenced by high self-reported anxiety levels.

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Behavioral Symptoms

Observable actions resulting from communication anxiety, like avoiding eye contact or fidgeting.

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Importance of Preparation

The need to invest time in preparation to reduce anxiety and improve performance in presentations or projects.

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Study Notes

PBW3163: Multinational Corporations and Global Communication

  • Course focuses on multinational corporations (MNCs) and global communication
  • Addresses language barriers in MNCs through multi-level solutions

Learning Outcomes

  • Differentiate between personal and organizational solutions to language barriers
  • Describe multi-level solutions to language barriers
  • Discuss advantages and disadvantages of language barrier solutions

Multi-Level Solutions to Language Barriers in MNCs

  • Informal day-to-day solutions:

    • Build redundancy in communication (repeating or paraphrasing information)
    • Adjust communication mode (e.g., use of visuals, simpler language)
    • Code-switching (using more than one language)
    • Lingua Franca (a common language used between people who don't share a native language)

  • Bridge individuals:

    • Bilingual employees (acting as language bridges)
    • Expatriation (sending employees to work in other countries)
    • Inpatriation (bringing employees from other countries to work in the home country)
    • Non-native locals (local employees who are fluent in a different language)
    • Parallel information networks (alternative ways to communicate)

  • Structural solutions (at organizational level):

    • Corporate language (adopting a single company-wide language)
    • Machine translation (using technology to translate languages)
    • External translators/interpreters (hiring professionals to translate)
    • Language training (providing language training to workers)
    • Selective recruitment (hiring employees who are proficient in multiple languages)

Informal Day-to-Day Solutions (more details)

  • Build redundancy: Listeners ask speakers to repeat or clarify, speakers provide examples, and use summaries. Japanese interviewees found this more useful, while German interviewees preferred other strategies.
  • Adjust mode of communication: Use of visuals, numbers, drawings, and limited vocabulary (e.g., technical language) helps overcome language barriers.
  • Code-switching: Bilingual employees will switch between languages, while native language might be preferred depending on the situation. Some managers considered this negative, causing irritation or mistrust.

Structural Solutions (more details)

  • Corporate language: Important for a global family but not all employees know their corporate language policy (e.g., English, German).
  • Language training: Frequent, paid language training for employees.
  • Problem with translators: Translators might not be familiar with specialized business vocabulary, making it costly and less efficient.

Bridge Individuals (more details)

  • Bilingual employees: These employees work as language bridges to cross language barriers.
  • Expatriation and Inpatriation: Sending/bringing employees to and from different countries are seen as bridging cultural gaps.
  • Non-native locals and Parallel Information networks: Local employees fluent in several languages can help bridge gaps and create multiple information channels.
  • How they work effectively: Bilingual employees serve as translation machines bridging IT/business needs effectively. Additionally, they build professional relationships and informal communication channels in their subsidiaries.

Additional Notes

  • MNCs use a variety of solutions to address language barriers. The choice depends on company needs and context (e.g., cost, frequency of use).
  • Students should differentiate between personal and organizational solutions (a distinction often missed).
  • The study highlights frequently used solutions (e.g., frequent language training, corporate language) alongside less frequent approaches.
  • Emotional reactions and reactions towards the solutions for language barriers are important insights for the study.

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