Overview

"How one global organization's lingua franca mandate shaped the lives of its employees around the worldFor nearly three decades, English has been the lingua franca of cross-border business, yet studies on global language strategies have been scarce. Providing a rare behind-the-scenes look at the high-tech giant Rakuten in the five years following its English mandate, The Language of Global Success explores how language shapes the ways in which employees in global organizations communicate and negotiate linguistic and cultural differences. Drawing on 650 interviews conducted across Rakuten's locations around the world, Tsedal Neeley argues that an organization's lingua franca is the catalyst by which all employees become some kind of ""expat""-detached from their native tongue or culture. Demonstrating that language can serve as the conduit for an unfamiliar culture, often in unexpected ways, Neeley uncovers how all organizations might integrate language effectively to tap into the promise of globalization."

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9780691196121

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The Language of Global Success is more than a study in organizational communication. It also is a study in change management. -Theodore Kinni, Strategy + Business An interesting and informative book full of practical lessons for any internationally ambitious organization. -Richard N. Cooper, Foreign Affairs This analysis offers sharp insights for any multinational thinking about adopting a 'lingua franca.' -Matthew Reisz, Times Higher Education The Language of Global Success skillfully demonstrates that major corporate initiatives must be championed by top leadership and provide meaningful support and training for employees. -Publishers Weekly An interesting read. . . . One of her most intriguing findings has to do with the effect of the English mandate on Rakuten's corporate culture. -Melanie Kirkpatrick, Wall Street Journal Winner of the 2018 Bronze Medal in International Business / Globalization, Axiom Business Book Awards

This analysis offers sharp insights for any multinational thinking about adopting a 'lingua franca.' -Matthew Reisz, Times Higher Education The Language of Global Success is more than a study in organizational communication. It also is a study in change management. -Theodore Kinni, Strategy + Business An interesting read. . . . One of her most intriguing findings has to do with the effect of the English mandate on Rakuten's corporate culture. -Melanie Kirkpatrick, Wall Street Journal An interesting and informative book full of practical lessons for any internationally ambitious organization. -Richard N. Cooper, Foreign Affairs The Language of Global Success skillfully demonstrates that major corporate initiatives must be championed by top leadership and provide meaningful support and training for employees. -Publishers Weekly Winner of the 2018 Bronze Medal in International Business / Globalization, Axiom Business Book Awards

Author Information

Tsedal Neeley is professor of business administration in the Organizational Behavior Unit at Harvard Business School.

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