Factors Consisting of Business English as a Lingua Franca in International Contexts

The present study investigates the components of Business English as a Lingua Franca (BELF) as perceived by employees in Korea-based international companies. The survey instrument, adapted from Louhiala-Salminen and Kankaanranta’s (2011) Global Communicative Competence (GCC) model, consisted of 33 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using ESEM via Mplus 8.2, applying the WLSMV estimation to account for ordinal data. Factor extraction and rotation followed the oblimin method, and the number of factors was determined based on multiple fit indices. Using data from a survey of 281 professionals, a factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure: Global Communicative Competence, Business Communication Skills, and the Ability to Use Easy English. This quantitative framework provides empirical support for the multifaceted nature of BELF competence. The results highlight that Korean professionals view BELF competence as a holistic concept that integrates multicultural understanding and business-specific knowledge. Furthermore, the study identifies “the ability to use easy English” as a distinct and important skill, suggesting a pragmatic, accommodation-based approach to communication in international business contexts. While this study’s results are significant, the limitations of the sample suggest that future research should aim for a more diverse and larger participant group to enhance generalizability.