The dynamics of privilege: How employees of multinational corporation construct and contest the privileging effects of English proficiency
Journal
Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Research Team
Alexandria Link
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Abstract
In this article we analyze how privilege is dynamically constructed as well as contested.A positioning analysis of interviews with employees of a multinational organization reveals the construction of a hierarchy of privilege. As this hierarchy is based on English proficiency along with other diversity dimensions, privilege is multifaceted. Furthermore, privilege is also contested. Contesting English-proficiency–related Privilege is connected to the speaker's position in the hierarchy of privilege. The Analysis shows that both category membership and specific competences and skills cumulate
to produce privileging effects, but also the possibilities for contesting privilege. At the same time, although the privilege gained by English proficiency is not invisible and is regularly contested, it is nevertheless silenced by those in advantage.
to produce privileging effects, but also the possibilities for contesting privilege. At the same time, although the privilege gained by English proficiency is not invisible and is regularly contested, it is nevertheless silenced by those in advantage.
Language
English
Keywords
discourse analysis
hierarchy of Privilege
intersectionality
language diversity
multinational corporations
Privilege
resistance
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Wiley Online Library
Volume
37
Number
4
Start page
468
End page
482
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
258994