LANGUAGE COMPETENCE AND CAREER PATHS IN MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS
Rebecca Piekkari, International Business, Helsinki School of Economics, Finland
Karoliina Muukari, International Business, Helsinki School of Economics, Finland

Abstract
This paper identifies and conceptualizes the effect of language competence on individual career paths in multinational corporations. It adopts a holistic perspective by dividing the effects into formal and informal ones and by examining individual career paths from initial recruitment, selection of expatriates for foreign assignment to promotion and remuneration. The preliminary findings are based on an autoethnographic case study of Handelsbanken and its branch in Finland. Participant observation is used as a source of insight since one of the authors of the paper was employed by the case company. Moreover, data was collected from an internal survey of 99 employees in Handelsbanken, a personal interview, and company material such as job adds. The findings demonstrate the subtle and even hidden effects of language on individual career paths.
Keywords: language competence, careers, multinational corporations, corporate language, case study