Cummins: Implementing a Two-Layer Language Model for Multinational Operations

Cummins, a multinational corporation with operations across multiple countries and subsidiaries in India, faced the challenge of managing communication and coordination across a linguistically diverse workforce. The company needed to establish effective governance and reporting mechanisms while ensuring inclusion and understanding among employees who spoke different languages. The challenge was to create a common operating framework that would enable cross-border collaboration without excluding employees with varying levels of proficiency in a corporate language.

Cummins implemented a two-layer language model, as documented in research from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The approach mandated English as a common language for governance, reporting, and cross-border communication. Simultaneously, local languages were preserved for day-to-day operations, safety training, and employee-facing HR materials. This dual-layer approach allowed the company to maintain a shared corporate language for coordination while respecting and utilizing local languages for operational effectiveness and employee inclusion.

The two-layer language model improved network position and fostered inclusion rather than undermining it. The approach proved successful in enabling effective multinational coordination while maintaining employee engagement and understanding. The model demonstrated that a common corporate language and multilingual inclusivity complement each other when implemented strategically, rather than creating tension between them.