“Do you understand me correctly?” The role of accents in communication in global virtual teams

Mike Szymanski & Carlo Brighi

Journal of International Management

Abstract

This study investigates the role of accent-based status differences on communication within
global virtual teams. Through a quasi-experimental study including 117 individuals and 357
voicemails and written messages, we examine recipients’ perceptions of the sender’s intentions.
We show how accent status – distinguished between native and non-native – match in verbal
communication plays a role in how listeners interpret feedback. Applying social identity theory
and suggesting an extension to media synchronicity theory, our study advances languagesensitive
international management research by demonstrating that accent – in addition to language
proficiency – constitutes another aspect of language that plays a role in interaction among
linguistically diverse global virtual team members. We discuss implications for practice and
future research.