English First? The impact of language policy change in a Finnish company
Marttila, Hanna (2024)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024111227954
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024111227954
Tiivistelmä
With Finland becoming more multicultural and companies opening to international employees, there is an ongoing debate about the role of English in Finnish society. Many Finns consider the increasing prevalence of English as problematic and, despite evidence to the contrary, concerns about English potentially replacing the national languages are common. At the same time, the labour immigration required to stabilize the size of Finland’s workforce creates a need for a common language with non-Finnish speakers.
This thesis seeks to explore this divide by examining the impact of the corporate language change from Finnish to English in a Finnish company. Based on a survey conducted among employees of company X, it discusses the positive and negative effects of the change and evaluates the effectiveness of the support measures the company offered to its employees during the transition. It also provides a solid theoretical framework on the role of English in Finland, English as a corporate language and change management in adopting a corporate language.
The results of the study are in line with previous research on the topic. The negative effects most commonly identified by the respondents are insufficient language skills among company employees and communication issues related to the language barrier, as well as resulting language isolation. Positive effects include more inclusive work environment for non-Finnish speakers. The general opinion on the impact of the change remains inconclusive, with respondents assessing the same factors differently depending on individual approach and needs. In regard to support measures, the results show that most employees were not aware of the support available to them and hence have not used it. The main issue is identified in internal communication in the company.
This thesis seeks to explore this divide by examining the impact of the corporate language change from Finnish to English in a Finnish company. Based on a survey conducted among employees of company X, it discusses the positive and negative effects of the change and evaluates the effectiveness of the support measures the company offered to its employees during the transition. It also provides a solid theoretical framework on the role of English in Finland, English as a corporate language and change management in adopting a corporate language.
The results of the study are in line with previous research on the topic. The negative effects most commonly identified by the respondents are insufficient language skills among company employees and communication issues related to the language barrier, as well as resulting language isolation. Positive effects include more inclusive work environment for non-Finnish speakers. The general opinion on the impact of the change remains inconclusive, with respondents assessing the same factors differently depending on individual approach and needs. In regard to support measures, the results show that most employees were not aware of the support available to them and hence have not used it. The main issue is identified in internal communication in the company.