Foreign languages and cross-cultural knowledge: A survey on their importance as perceived by human resources departments of Ohio's international businesses

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that human resources departments of Ohio's international businesses place on the following: foreign language and cross-cultural knowledge when they select candidates for their divisions, foreign language and cross-cultural training for employees once they are hired, and cooperation with colleges and universities to provide the training.;Data were acquired through the use of a questionnaire that was mailed to a population of 490 international businesses in Ohio. The list was obtained from the 1992 International Directory of Contacts, Sources, and Services. Of the total 490 survey packets mailed, 42 were returned by the Post Office as undeliverable. Of the 448 that were delivered, a total of 209 (46.7%) surveys were returned. The usable response rate amounted to 170 (40%).;Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Frequencies tables and cross-tabulations were constructed. Appropriate statistical techniques were used to examine the results and relationship in the data.;It was found that 57.7% of responding companies do not consider it important to hire employees who are proficient in at least one foreign language, or cross-cultural knowledgeable of at least one foreign country, and only 42.3% offer this type of training. However, a large majority, 95.2%, agreed that foreign language and cross-cultural training prior to overseas assignment increases productivity among expatriates and generates greater success with the assignment.;Only 13.3% of responding companies make use of colleges and/or universities to train/educate employees and for translation and interpreting. However, if colleges and/or universities were to offer short-term courses for employees who travel or are transferred overseas, approximately 74.1% of responding companies would be interested in enrolling their employees.;The results of this study indicated that the overall perception that human resources departments of Ohio's international businesses have of foreign language and more cross-cultural knowledge is important. Recommendations were made for a stronger collaboration between international corporations and institutions of higher education in the training/educating of individuals to be more culturally knowledgeable and proficient in at least one foreign language.