A common identity model perspective on the interactive effects of dual identity in intergroup relations: Host country national employees' interactions with expatriates in foreign subsidiaries

Abstract How can intergroup relations be enhanced in organizations? To address this question, this paper integrates the common ingroup identity model (CIIM) and social identity theory to examine the interactive effects of dual identity on the relationships between host country national (HCN) employees' English proficiency, social interactions, and helping behaviors toward expatriates in foreign subsidiaries. Study 1, using time‐lagged survey data from 706 HCNs in various foreign subsidiaries, shows that interaction frequency mediates the positive relationship between English proficiency and information sharing, and that these relationships are stronger when dual identity is high. Study 2, using time‐lagged survey data from 330 HCNs in various foreign subsidiaries, shows that interaction avoidance mediates the positive relationship between English proficiency and knowledge transfer and that HCNs with high dual identity have more social interactions and transfer more knowledge to expatriates. This paper contributes to the literature by providing a novel perspective on intergroup relations in multilingual settings, integrating and building on language and CIIM research, and extending CIIM research to organizations.