LANGUAGE WORK AT A SWEDISH MULTINATIONAL Employees’ Perceptions of Language Management and Policy

Abstract

This study investigates language workers’ perceptions of the implementation and possible outcomes of new guidelines aimed to increase consistency in communication. A needs analysis establishes both present and target levels of consistency in the company’s written communication. Means to close the gap between the present and the target situations are investigated. The study makes use of qualitative textual analysis, questionnaires and interviews. The present situation analysis reveals that there is substantial variation in the company’s written communication, but that the new guidelines are perceived as an important step towards the target situation. However, the results also show that employees believe that policy alone will not be enough to reach the target situation, but that additional language management measures need to be taken.