Choose the right language to share? The role of language in the cross-border knowledge sharing in the digital age

This paper applies media richness theory to elucidate how and why knowledge is shared in multinational corporations (MNCs) through the usage of diverse communication media and languages. Our analysis of knowledge sharing behavior of 10 Chinese employees in MNCs demonstrated how English is used in written format to enlarges information based and reduces information asymmetry in the cross-border information processing mechanism. It also revealed how quality information is obtained and how conflicting views have been resolved through the simultaneous use of English and Chinese in the rich media. This paper advances the theoretical understanding of the micro-foundations of inter-unit knowledge sharing and media richness theory by positioning language diversity as a resource, not barrier, in international business communication particularly in China context.