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Social capital, language and host country nationals (HCNs) as global talent

Maryam Bala Kuki (Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK)
Susan Kirk (Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle, UK)
Maranda Ridgway (Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK)

Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance

ISSN: 2051-6614

Article publication date: 31 August 2021

Issue publication date: 26 October 2021

329

Abstract

Purpose

In expatriate-reliant countries, the challenge of attracting and retaining overseas talent remains, despite the COVID-19 global pandemic restricting international travel. Expatriates depend on formal organizational and host country national (HCN) support to facilitate their adjustment when moving abroad. To date, there has been a limited focus on the centrality of language in spanning boundaries between HCNs and expatriates that enables bridges to be formed. This study explored how language influences the social capital accrual and the support received by expatriates from HCNs.

Design/methodology/approach

Rooted in social constructionism, the authors used semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 20 Nigerian HCNs from two Italian organizations in the construction industry.

Findings

The findings highlight how language is key to effective social capital bridging and show how HCNs act as boundary spanners between local talent and expatriates on assignment. In this study, HCNs have superior language skills and can thus fill the semantic void in communication between the two parties. It emerged that expatriates receive more significant support and higher levels of social capital accrual than HCNs from this relationship.

Practical implications

Consideration should be given to providing formal language training to both expatriates and HCNs. Embedding networking relationships, such as buddying schemes or reverse mentoring, would enhance the social capital of both parties and improve performance. In addition, global talent management policies should be adjusted to provide definitive career paths and clearer promotion criteria for HCNs.

Originality/value

The authors find that through their language ability, HCNs may have more power over expatriates than previously considered, repositioning their status from a talent perspective. The authors argue that expatriates should not be considered by organizations the only source of global talent in such a context, and that organizations need to offer more definitive talent policies and support that accounts for both expatriates and HCNs.

Keywords

Citation

Kuki, M.B., Kirk, S. and Ridgway, M. (2021), "Social capital, language and host country nationals (HCNs) as global talent", Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 370-386. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-01-2021-0018

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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