Language, career competences and career mobility in a multinational company

Abstract

The difficult economical environment, technological change and globalization move work to developing countries. With the insecurity and transition on career life career mobility is widespread, especially in international organizations and context. Internationalization on all aspects of life has pushed the individuals to adopt a boundaryless career and not to be restricted to any territory as opposite to traditional organizational career. The nature of career has changed over the years from stable traditional work relationships with one employer to a series of shorter work contracts with multiple organizations. Whereas the work contract before was a trustworthy agreement between employer and employee, the uncertainty over job security has led employees to be constantly searching for new challenges and being protean on their careers. The role of career competences increases as multinational companies are utilizing the global labour pool while spreading their organizations globally. Language can be a complex issue in a multinational company, which is why many firms have adopted a one language policy to further their business operations.

The theoretical framework of this study is based on new career theory, including theories of boundaryless career, career competences and career mobility and language. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between language, career competences and career mobility. The research data consisted of 16 semi-structural theme interviews with employees of two multinational organizations. All of the interviewees had some international aspect in their current work tasks. Half of them were native Finnish speakers while the other half spoke Swedish as their mother tongue. The outcome of the research is that language affects building up knowing-why, knowing-how and knowing-whom competences and that way has an impact on career mobility. This research contributes to career studies integrating language and career competences as by far language has not been studied broadly in career context.