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<p>Studies have shown that expatriates with more polished skills in the host-country language are better adjusted to the host culture. However, how host-country nationals (HCNs) shape this link and the conditions under which language proficiency affects adjustment have not been thoroughly investigated. Drawing on Social Identity Theory and Network Theory, we propose and test a moderated mediation model focusing on two HCN-related variables, namely HCN support and expatriates’ HCN network size. Based on a survey with 281 expatriates, we find that proficiency in the host-country language has a positive association with expatriates’ general, interaction, and work adjustment through increased social support from HCNs. Moreover, expatriates’ HCN network size moderates this mediation such that the expatriates’ language proficiency gains more importance when their network size is smaller. In contrast, when expatriates have larger local networks, the positive impact of language skills weakens. Our findings have implications for expatriates and managers.</p>

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Building Bridges with Words and Networks: A Moderated Mediation Model of Language Proficiency, Host-Country Nationals, and Expatriate Adjustment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月3日

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  • Secil Bayraktar,
  • Irmak Erdogan,
  • Dariya Kaya,
  • Alfredo Jiménez

摘要

Studies have shown that expatriates with more polished skills in the host-country language are better adjusted to the host culture. However, how host-country nationals (HCNs) shape this link and the conditions under which language proficiency affects adjustment have not been thoroughly investigated. Drawing on Social Identity Theory and Network Theory, we propose and test a moderated mediation model focusing on two HCN-related variables, namely HCN support and expatriates’ HCN network size. Based on a survey with 281 expatriates, we find that proficiency in the host-country language has a positive association with expatriates’ general, interaction, and work adjustment through increased social support from HCNs. Moreover, expatriates’ HCN network size moderates this mediation such that the expatriates’ language proficiency gains more importance when their network size is smaller. In contrast, when expatriates have larger local networks, the positive impact of language skills weakens. Our findings have implications for expatriates and managers.