A multiple case study of foreign language training and cross-cultural knowledge: A comparison of graduate international business programs with the expectations of international businesses

摘要

Foreign language competency and cross-cultural knowledge have taken on a new relevance as the world economy became increasingly integrated and affected by international development. Despite research on the benefits of foreign language competency and cross-cultural knowledge for U.S. businesses, many international business programs and many international businesses still put little emphasis on foreign language training and cross-cultural knowledge.;The purpose of this study was to investigate how international business programs meet the apparent need to internationalize their curriculum, and to clarify the role of foreign language competency and cross-cultural knowledge in business schools to meet the apparent need of international businesses. A case study method using questionnaires, interviews, and documents was selected for this study which was limited to six institutions of higher education, and two international businesses located in the Delaware Valley.;Within-case and cross-case analyses indicated that there is within the institutions of higher education and the international businesses in this study an awareness of the changes that have occurred as a result of globalization. However, foreign language competency and cross-cultural knowledge rarely were considered essential in the curriculum of graduate International Business programs, or when conducting business.