Approaching or avoiding? Mechanisms of host-country language proficiency in affecting virtual work adaptivity during COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced expatriates in many organizations to do virtual work, while virtual communication is becoming a critical skill, especially for second-language speakers. We explore how expatriates with high and low levels of host-country language (HCL) proficiency use different mechanisms to improve their virtual work adaptivity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, we argue that expatriates with high HCL proficiency tend to adopt approach crafting, whereas expatriates with low HCL proficiency tend to use avoidance crafting. We further examine the role of language-related human resource (HR) practices in reducing the tendency of expatriates with low HCL proficiency to choose avoidance crafting. We tested our predictions using data collected from 994 expatriates working in eight countries during the COVID-19 virtual work period, and the results generally supported our hypotheses. Our study sheds light on the importance of HCL skills in influencing expatriates’ job-crafting behavior and adaptivity in virtual work, and the significant role of language-related HR practices. Last, we offer practical insights into improving virtual work during a crisis in relation to employees’ HCL and organizational support.