Dual organizational identification among Japanese expatriates: the role of communication in cultivating subsidiary identification and outcomes

Abstract

Dual organizational identification is significant for the success of multinational corporation (MNC) employees. This study has extended this research area by examining expatriates of Japan-based MNCs. In addition, this study has extended the existing identity-matching principle by incorporating a communication perspective. It investigated the antecedents and outcomes of subsidiary identification. Self-report survey data from 159 Japanese expatriates in the USA were analyzed. The results indicated the significance of local language proficiency in the development of identification with the subsidiary. In addition, local identification was the predictor of expatriates' adaptation to the subsidiary. Furthermore, the results showed that local organizational identification is related to their stress level in international assignments. These results also supported the growing view of situation-oriented identification. The follow-up interviews reinforced these results.

Keywords:

• adaptation
• communication accommodation
• dual organizational identification
• expatriates
• identity-matching
• language proficiency

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Phil Tompkins, Sachi Shearman, and Dan Modaff for their helpful comments to the earlier versions of this manuscript. This study was financially supported by the WKU Faculty Scholarship Council.