Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

JIll K. Kaspszak

Abstract

By 2050, individuals of Hispanic descent will represent nearly 30% of the total American population with English as a second language (ESL). The problem addressed the lack of strategies being used by African American Managers on communicating with Hispanic workers with ESL. The purpose of the study was to explore what communication strategies African American managers can use when managing Hispanic workers with ESL in a government agency in Illinois. The importance of this study is exemplified in the findings; the results provided a new way of thinking about the social world that is interwoven in an intercultural environment. The conceptual framework included the seminal works of Lev Vygotsky’ sociocultural theory. A sample of 5 African American managers and 5 Hispanic workers with ESL were purposively selected to share their lived stories, perspectives, and experiences to address the research questions. Data collection included semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews, documentation, and audio recordings that were analyzed using narrative written analysis. The following seven themes were identified: culture and language differences, company culture, economic hardship, family values and beliefs, workplace communication, social and diversity awareness, and intercultural management. These findings may help contribute towards a positive social change by helping managers become global managers who may be able to foster shared dialogues relative to enhanced communication and intercultural management practices in government agencies.

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