Title: A review of two decades of research on language in international management (1997-2022)

Authors: Yung-Hwal Park; Kevin Lehnert

Addresses: School of Business, Truman State University, 100 E. Normal St., Kirksville, MO 63501, USA ' Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University, 50 Front Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA

Abstract: This research reviews over two decades of research on language within international management. This comprehensive review codes and summarises 263 articles, highlighting the impact of language in various strategic areas of management: language policy; HRM and organisational behaviour; internationalisation; HQ-subsidiary relationship; knowledge sharing; corporate reporting and governance; and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and inter-firm strategic collaboration. This study also highlights two major needs within the discipline (internal vs. external focus of language and level of analysis - individual, group and organisational), and addressed the call for a broader future research agenda.

Keywords: literature review; language; management; international strategy; communication.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2025.143095

International Journal of Business Environment, 2025 Vol.16 No.1, pp.99 - 131

Received: 05 Jul 2022
Accepted: 27 Sep 2023
Published online: 03 Dec 2024 *