Language, Identity, and Transnational Communication: Chinese Business Expatriates in Africa

doi:10.1109/TPC.2019.2893463

CORC > 上海财经大学 > 上海财经大学

	Language, Identity, and Transnational Communication: Chinese Business Expatriates in Africa
	Ai, Bin 1; Cui, Can 2; Wang, Lifei 2
刊名	IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
	2019-06
卷号	62 期号:2 页码:178-191
关键词	Chinese business expatriates cultural and national identity English/local language hybrid identity transnational business communication
ISSN号	0361-1434
DOI	10.1109/TPC.2019.2893463
英文摘要	Introduction: Under the influence of economic globalization, many enterprises are seeking more markets in developing countries, and more Chinese business expatriates are being sent to work in host countries. This study explores Chinese business expatriates' communication experience and identity work in three African countries, and their perceptions of the functions of English or the local language in transnational business communication. About the case: This article explores the following research questions: 1. How do Chinese business expatriates experience their cultural and national identity when using a foreign working language in a host country? 2. How do Chinese business expatriates evaluate the functions of a foreign language in their transnational communication? 3. What suggestions can be provided for future business expatriates and their transnational/globalizing companies? Situating the case: The process of identity construction and business expatriates' identity work in a host space are interpreted in the context of Hofstede and Hofstede's acculturation curve. Other key concepts related to transnational business communication, including third space as defined by Bhabha, are also addressed. Methods/approach: Using a case study approach, the researchers examine four participants' transnational business communication experiences and interpret their identity work through the data collected in the form of interviews. Results/discussion: The researchers find that the business expatriates realized the importance of English or local language communication competence in a transnational business space, although they still kept their Chinese cultural and national identity. Conclusions: This study contributes to transnational business communication by helping professionals to understand the language and cultural challenges faced by Chinese business expatriates, and offers suggestions for globalizing companies that send employees to host countries.
WOS研究方向	Communication ; Engineering
语种	英语
出版者	IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC
WOS记录号	WOS:000468442300005
内容类型	期刊论文
源URL	[http://10.2.47.112/handle/2XS4QKH4/232]
专题	上海财经大学
通讯作者	Ai, Bin
作者单位	1.Shanghai Univ Finance & Econ, Sch Foreign Studies, Shanghai 200433, Peoples R China; 2.Univ Int Business & Econ, Sch Int Studies, Beijing 100096, Peoples R China
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Ai, Bin,Cui, Can,Wang, Lifei. Language, Identity, and Transnational Communication: Chinese Business Expatriates in Africa[J]. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION,2019,62(2):178-191.
APA	Ai, Bin,Cui, Can,&Wang, Lifei.(2019).Language, Identity, and Transnational Communication: Chinese Business Expatriates in Africa.IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION,62(2),178-191.
MLA	Ai, Bin,et al."Language, Identity, and Transnational Communication: Chinese Business Expatriates in Africa".IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION 62.2(2019):178-191.