IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Jun 2019

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

Bin Ai Shanghai University of Finance and Economics ; Can Cui Shanghai University of Finance and Economics ; Lifei Wang University of International Business and Economics

Abstract

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.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2019-06-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2019.2893463
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
professional writing qualitative research multilingual writers
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Ai et al. (2017)
    Transnational Business Communication and Identity Work in Australia
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Also cites 29 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.7748/nr.21.5.19.e1240
     ↗
  2. 10.5749/j.ctt22727z1
     ↗
  3. 10.1080/01596306.2012.666073
     ↗
  4. 10.1111/1744-7941.12003
     ↗
  5. 10.1080/09585192.2015.1128468
     ↗
  6. 10.1080/09585192.2012.725078
     ↗
  7. 10.1016/j.jwb.2010.05.014
     ↗
  8. 10.1080/13602381.2013.847607
     ↗
  9. 10.1177/0018726714561699
     ↗
  10. 10.1002/tie.20099
     ↗
  11. 10.1080/13602381.2010.546642
     ↗
  12. 10.1108/13563280710776888
     ↗
  13. 10.1080/10971475.2015.1031608
     ↗
  14. 10.1016/j.chieco.2016.07.007
     ↗
  15. 10.1080/23792949.2016.1232598
     ↗
  16. 10.1075/lplp.37.3.01zha
     ↗
  17. 10.1080/0141987032000109050
     ↗
  18. 10.1080/13527260210146000
     ↗
  19. 10.1016/0022-5428(95)90003-9
     ↗
  20. 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2015.03.018
     ↗
  21. 10.4324/9781315844992
     ↗
  22. 10.1057/9780230244511
     ↗
  23. 10.1080/14708477.2014.985302
     ↗
  24. 10.1080/14708477.2016.1158830
     ↗
  25. 10.1002/9780470755679.ch15
     ↗
  26. 10.1017/S0267190506000109
     ↗
  27. 10.1057/9780230505605_1
     ↗
  28. eaglestone (2002)
    10.4324/9780203025437
    Doing English A Guide for Literature Students  ↗
  29. 10.2307/3587831
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 15 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Computers and Composition Jun 2026
    “Article laundry” or “tutor in pocket?”: Multilingual writers’ generative AI-assisted writing in professional settings ↗
    Qianqian Zhang-Wu
    writing pedagogy teacher development professional writing qualitative research digital rhetoric artificial intelligence multilingual writers
  2. The Peer Review Sep 2025
    The Impact of Working at a Writing Center in Brazil: Perspectives of Student Tutors ↗
    Ana Raquel Fialho Ferreira Campos; João Tiago Gaspar Cozechen; Elaine Pereira Lustosa; Marcos Angel De Carvalho Eing; Leonardo Schimiloski
    first-year composition writing pedagogy graduate education argument writing centers professional writing qualitative research artificial intelligence multilingual writers literacy studies race and writing
  3. Communication Design Quarterly Mar 2023
    Review of "Everyday Dirty Work: Invisibility, Communication, and Immigrant Labor by Wilfredo Alvarez," Alvarez, W. (2022). Everyday dirty work: Invisibility, communication, and immigrant labor. The Ohio State University Press. ↗
    Meng-Hsien Neal Liu
    professional writing qualitative research multilingual writers book reviews
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly Oct 2020
    Navigating Messy Research Methods and Mentoring Practices at a Bilingual Research Site on the Mexico-U.S. Border ↗
    Beau Pihlaja; Lucía Durá
    writing pedagogy graduate education professional writing qualitative research multilingual writers
  5. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Sep 2020
    Challenges in BCOM: Student and Faculty Perceptions on English as an Additional Language ↗
    Susie McGann; Norman W. Evans; Benjamin L. McMurry; Kurt Sandholtz
    professional writing qualitative research multilingual writers disability studies