The role of emotions in intercultural business communication : language standardization in the context of international knowledge transfer

We examine language standardization in a multinational enterprise in the context of international knowledge transfer treated as an act of communication. Based on psychological theories of emotions and a qualitative study of a Chinese owned company with English as a working language, we find that both native and non-native English-speakers experience anxiety in intercultural communication. This triggers emotions that are culturally predisposed affecting communication behavior. We provide a framework within which intercultural business communication takes place and demonstrate the intermediating role that emotions play when language is standardized.