Language as Career Capital: A Scoping Review of Human Capital Development, Employee Mobility, and HR Implications in Multilingual Organisations

Sareen Kaur Bhar () and Yong Eng Chua
Additional contact information
Sareen Kaur Bhar: Learning Institute for Empowerment, Multimedia University, Melaka 75450, Malaysia
Yong Eng Chua: Learning Institute for Empowerment, Multimedia University, Melaka 75450, Malaysia

Administrative Sciences, 2025, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: This scoping review examines how workplace language proficiency and corporate language policies function as dimensions of human capital, shaping employee mobility and organisational outcomes in multilingual contexts. Drawing on 12 empirical studies (2010–2025), supplemented by one influential review work used for context, the review integrates two analytical lenses: (1) language ceilings and walls, which capture invisible barriers to vertical and horizontal mobility, and (2) the Language Needs Analysis (LANA) framework, which categorises language demands at the individual, organisational, and operational levels. Findings indicate that language proficiency and inclusive language policies act as strategic resources that enhance employability, cross-border collaboration, and knowledge transfer. Conversely, rigid monolingual policies often reproduce inequalities and limit career progression. The review highlights the role of language-sensitive HRM in developing sustainable talent pipelines, advancing diversity and inclusion, and strengthening workforce resilience. Methodologically, this study applies PRISMA-ScR guidelines to ensure transparency and rigour, while offering a framework for future research at the intersection of human capital theory, language policy, and global HRM. By reframing communicative competence as career capital, the review underscores the need to integrate language training and policy design into broader human capital development strategies.

Keywords: human capital development; career capital; employee mobility; multilingual organisations; corporate language policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L M M0 M1 M10 M11 M12 M14 M15 M16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/11/421/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/11/421/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:15:y:2025:i:11:p:421-:d:1782758

Access Statistics for this article

Administrative Sciences is currently edited by Ms. Nancy Ma

More articles in Administrative Sciences from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().