The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher Learning

Purpose: This article explores the role and impact of Czech language mastery in the integration and retention of foreign academics in HEIs in the Czech Republic (CR). Global Talent Management aspires to attract the best talents to the workplace. The well-being of foreign talents in local workplaces...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eva Fichtnerova, Robert Jeyakumar Nathan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Oles Honchar Dnipro National University 2023-01-01
Series:European Journal of Management Issues
Subjects:
Online Access:https://mi-dnu.dp.ua/index.php/MI/article/view/403
_version_ 1828060208400695296
author Eva Fichtnerova
Robert Jeyakumar Nathan
author_facet Eva Fichtnerova
Robert Jeyakumar Nathan
author_sort Eva Fichtnerova
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: This article explores the role and impact of Czech language mastery in the integration and retention of foreign academics in HEIs in the Czech Republic (CR). Global Talent Management aspires to attract the best talents to the workplace. The well-being of foreign talents in local workplaces is often researched without expounding the impact of local language mastery. Universities in CR, like other universities in the European Union (EU) have strategic needs for foreign talents in their Higher Education Institutions (HEI), however, various barriers persist in attracting and retaining foreign academics in CR. Design/Method/Approach: Based upon the theories of Global Talent Management, internationalization, and social ecology, this study conducted quantitative research and collected primary data from 211 foreign academics living and working in HEIs in CR. The study evaluated the dimensions of the well-being of foreign academics with their Czech language mastery. Findings: The result shows that although a multicultural environment exists in HEIs in CR, which allows for communication in English, the need to understand the local language i.e. Czech language, for work orientation, administrative procedures and integration of a foreign employee into the local community in the medium and long-term are still pertinent. Theoretical Implications: This study contributes to the extension of Global Talent Management theory by extending the dimension of local language mastery as an important driver for employee integration and retention into a local workplace and community for sustainable employment. Practical Implications: The study found that foreign academics can improve Czech language proficiency and feel better integrated with local communities after five years in CR. HEIs could play a proactive role in integrating and retaining foreign talents by assisting with local language mastery. Originality/Value: This study highlights the importance of local language mastery in Global Talent Management. Specifically for Institutions of Higher Learning, the retention of foreign talents is directly affected by the expatriates’ ability to master the local language. Research Limitations/Future Research: The research lacked sufficient information on the total number of foreign academics currently residing in CR. However, 211 foreign academics participated in this study. Future studies could expand the study by surveying foreign talents in other EU countries as well as including other dimensions besides local language mastery. Paper Type: Empirical JEL Сlassіfіcatіon: F22, I23, J24, J49
first_indexed 2024-04-10T21:52:18Z
format Article
id doaj.art-7a6f3921be5d402c855227b12c0abdb7
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2519-8564
2523-451X
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-10T21:52:18Z
publishDate 2023-01-01
publisher Oles Honchar Dnipro National University
record_format Article
series European Journal of Management Issues
spelling doaj.art-7a6f3921be5d402c855227b12c0abdb72023-01-18T12:40:59ZengOles Honchar Dnipro National UniversityEuropean Journal of Management Issues2519-85642523-451X2023-01-01311The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher LearningEva Fichtnerova0Robert Jeyakumar Nathan1Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech RepublicFaculty of Business, Multimedia University, Malaysia Purpose: This article explores the role and impact of Czech language mastery in the integration and retention of foreign academics in HEIs in the Czech Republic (CR). Global Talent Management aspires to attract the best talents to the workplace. The well-being of foreign talents in local workplaces is often researched without expounding the impact of local language mastery. Universities in CR, like other universities in the European Union (EU) have strategic needs for foreign talents in their Higher Education Institutions (HEI), however, various barriers persist in attracting and retaining foreign academics in CR. Design/Method/Approach: Based upon the theories of Global Talent Management, internationalization, and social ecology, this study conducted quantitative research and collected primary data from 211 foreign academics living and working in HEIs in CR. The study evaluated the dimensions of the well-being of foreign academics with their Czech language mastery. Findings: The result shows that although a multicultural environment exists in HEIs in CR, which allows for communication in English, the need to understand the local language i.e. Czech language, for work orientation, administrative procedures and integration of a foreign employee into the local community in the medium and long-term are still pertinent. Theoretical Implications: This study contributes to the extension of Global Talent Management theory by extending the dimension of local language mastery as an important driver for employee integration and retention into a local workplace and community for sustainable employment. Practical Implications: The study found that foreign academics can improve Czech language proficiency and feel better integrated with local communities after five years in CR. HEIs could play a proactive role in integrating and retaining foreign talents by assisting with local language mastery. Originality/Value: This study highlights the importance of local language mastery in Global Talent Management. Specifically for Institutions of Higher Learning, the retention of foreign talents is directly affected by the expatriates’ ability to master the local language. Research Limitations/Future Research: The research lacked sufficient information on the total number of foreign academics currently residing in CR. However, 211 foreign academics participated in this study. Future studies could expand the study by surveying foreign talents in other EU countries as well as including other dimensions besides local language mastery. Paper Type: Empirical JEL Сlassіfіcatіon: F22, I23, J24, J49 https://mi-dnu.dp.ua/index.php/MI/article/view/403global talent managementinternationalizationforeign employeesEuropean unionwell-being
spellingShingle Eva Fichtnerova
Robert Jeyakumar Nathan
The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher Learning
European Journal of Management Issues
global talent management
internationalization
foreign employees
European union
well-being
title The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher Learning
title_full The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher Learning
title_fullStr The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher Learning
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher Learning
title_short The Role of Local Language Mastery in Foreign Talent Management at Institutions of Higher Learning
title_sort role of local language mastery in foreign talent management at institutions of higher learning
topic global talent management
internationalization
foreign employees
European union
well-being
url https://mi-dnu.dp.ua/index.php/MI/article/view/403
work_keys_str_mv AT evafichtnerova theroleoflocallanguagemasteryinforeigntalentmanagementatinstitutionsofhigherlearning
AT robertjeyakumarnathan theroleoflocallanguagemasteryinforeigntalentmanagementatinstitutionsofhigherlearning
AT evafichtnerova roleoflocallanguagemasteryinforeigntalentmanagementatinstitutionsofhigherlearning
AT robertjeyakumarnathan roleoflocallanguagemasteryinforeigntalentmanagementatinstitutionsofhigherlearning