Virtual Work and the Inclusion of Linguistic Minorities: A Double-Edged Sword
Files
Date
2024-01-03
Authors
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Narrator
Transcriber
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
6967
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Information technology has been shown to support organizations’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, the role of language as a dimension of diversity has often been overlooked, especially for highly-skilled migrants joining organizations in non-Anglophone countries where English serves as the corporate language. Through 25 interviews at the Finnish branch of an international professional service firm, we investigate how these individuals navigate language barriers in both physical and virtual workspaces, with particular focus on coping strategies to language barriers after the COVID-induced transition to full virtual work. We find a dual effect of virtual work on inclusion: while linguistic minorities may reduce their short-term emotional strain in virtual settings, they may also increasingly detach from the majority group in the long run. These findings challenge the prevailing assumption that technology universally overcomes hidden barriers, emphasizing the necessity for tailored DEI-initiatives that consider the individual needs of different minority groups.
Description
Keywords
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Technology and Organizations, coping strategies, diversity & inclusion, language, virtual work, workplace inclusion
Citation
Extent
10 pages
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Proceedings of the 57th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
Related To (URI)
Table of Contents
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.