The impact of cultural identity on cultural and language bridging skills of first and second generation highly qualified migrants

Abstract

This inductive study explores on the basis of 134 semi-structured interviews for the case of Germany, the impact of cultural identity on highly qualified migrants’ cultural and language bridging skills. A particular focus is put on the differentiation between first and second generation migrants. We find that cultural identity impacts migrants’ cultural and language bridging skills, prompting differences not only between generations but also within them. On this basis, we establish two sub-groups of first generation migrants: those with a separated identity (heritage culture is dominant) and those with an ambiguous identity (often unclear which culture dominates); similarly, we find two sub-groups of second generation migrants: those with an integrated identity (well-balanced combination of heritage and mainstream culture) and those with an assimilated identity (mainstream culture is dominant). We further ascertain that migrants with an integrated identity possess the highest degree of cultural and language bridging skills and, thus, constitute the best bridging agents in comparison to the other sub-groups. Our study provides a more nuanced understanding of migrants’ cultural identity formation and their impact on skilled migrants’ cultural and language bridging skills. In addition, it demonstrates the need to consider inter- but also intragenerational differences, when studying the impact of highly qualified migrants in organizational contexts.