A Research of English Language Proficiency and its Influence on Business Success in Kurdistan's Private Sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21271/zjhs.30.2.15Keywords:
Business success, English Language Proficiency, Iraqi Kurdistan, GlobalizationAbstract
The research investigates the findings of English language proficiency on business success in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, a region increasingly shaped by globalization. The data is collected through surveying 125 employees from five leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. The research explores the connection between English skills and key business outcomes, considering factors like revenue, marketing effectiveness, and overall growth. The findings show that over 90% of the employees who participated in the questionnaire perceive English proficiency as significantly beneficial to their work environment, promoting better communication and collaboration. While most of the communications with customers are done in Kurdish, the data revealed the prevalent incorporation of Business English terminology and code-switching within internal communication channels, suggesting a significant integration of English into the organization's professional environment. Further analysis also demonstrated that English proficiency contributed to the region’s increased international collaborations. These results align with existing literature on English as a lingua franca, emphasizing its role in international trade and communication. However, the research acknowledges the potential risk of local languages being overlooked, leading to a cultural homogenization. The study's finding that a majority of employees belong to younger generations suggests a workforce readily adaptable to technological advancements and evolving communication norms. Yet, the persistence of uncertainty regarding the value of English, even among some individuals in leadership positions, underscores the necessity of providing comprehensive training initiatives that clearly articulate the advantages of English proficiency for both organizational success and employee development. By examining these factors within a particular regional context, this research enhances our understanding of how English language skills shape business dynamics
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