Exploring the politics of linguistic difference: the construction of language requirements for migrants in jobs traditionally conducted by local native speakers
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引用次数: 2
Abstract
ABSTRACT While linguistic difference has been identified as an organizational source of disadvantage for migrants, the construction of language requirements in relation to which these differences emerge has rarely been examined. Yet, this is key to understand the politics of difference. Taking a social constructionist approach and relying on the concept of the ideal worker, this article analyzes a case study of an organization that hires migrants for jobs that used to be conducted by local native speakers. This research shows how conflicting constructions of language requirements may emerge in relation to different contextual causal powers. This might lead migrants to be constructed as different and not different from contrasting ideal worker notions, resulting in their simultaneous inclusion and marginalization in jobs at the bottom of the labour market. Moreover, this conflict generates the notion of the ideal non-ideal worker, which may produce a hierarchical differentiation within the category of migrant workers.
期刊介绍:
Culture and Organization was founded in 1995 as Studies in Cultures, Organizations and Societies . It represents the intersection of academic disciplines that have developed distinct qualitative, empirical and theoretical vocabularies to research organization, culture and related social phenomena. Culture and Organization features refereed articles that offer innovative insights and provoke discussion. It particularly offers papers which employ ethnographic, critical and interpretive approaches, as practised in such disciplines as organizational, communication, media and cultural studies, which go beyond description and use data to advance theoretical reflection. The Journal also presents papers which advance our conceptual understanding of organizational phenomena. Culture and Organization features refereed articles that offer innovative insights and provoke discussion. It particularly offers papers which employ ethnographic, critical and interpretive approaches, as practised in such disciplines as communication, media and cultural studies, which go beyond description and use data to advance theoretical reflection. The journal also presents papers which advance our conceptual understand-ing of organizational phenomena.