A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Development of Intercultural Relationships at Work: Polish Migrant Workers in Finland (2013)

Lahti, M., & Valo, M. (2013). The Development of Intercultural Relationships at Work: Polish Migrant Workers in Finland. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 14(31). https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v13i1.614

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lahti, Malgorzata; Valo, Maarit

Journal or series: Journal of Intercultural Communication

ISSN: 1404-1634

eISSN: 1404-1634

Publication year: 2013

Volume: 14

Issue number: 31

Publisher: Immigrant Institute

Place of Publication: Ruotsi

Publication country: Sweden

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v13i1.614

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/41428

Abstract

This article offers an interpersonal communication perspective on relational processes in a workplace affected by the international flow of labor migration. We investigate how temporary migrant workers and their foreign colleagues perceive developing interpersonal relationships with each other through an analysis of in-depth interviews with employees of a Finnish recruitment agency and Polish metal workers it has recruited. The recruitment agents talk about their relationships with the recruited Polish workers; the Polish workers also describe their relationships with their Finnish colleagues at the customer company. The context under investigation emerges as rich in relational processes. The development of intercultural workplace relationships is analyzed in terms of motives for and against engaging in relational growth, as well as behaviors enacted to develop or not develop relationships.

Free keywords: intercultural relational development; intercultural workplace relationships; interpersonal workplace relationships; migrants in Finland; Polish migrant workers; relational development motives; relational behaviors

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2013

JUFO rating: 1