Subjective time in organizations: Conceptual clarification, integration, and implications for future research

Abstract

† Shortly after completing her work on this manuscript, Sucheta sadly passed away. We would like to dedicate this paper to the inspiration, enthusiasm, and dedication that Sucheta has given to us, and to the research on temporal phenomena in organizations more broadly. SummaryDespite the rapid growth of organizational research on subjective time, the extant literature is fragmented due to a lack of conceptual clarification and integration of temporal constructs. To address this fragmentation, we synthesize temporal research from both organizational behavior and adjacent disciplines (i.e., strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational theory) and introduce a framework that allocates temporal constructs according to their basic conceptual nature (trait-state) and level of analysis (individual-collective). We employed the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count text analysis to determine the trait-state property of the constructs and a coding method to determine their level of analysis. This framework categorizes four generic types of subjective time: individual temporal disposition, individual temporal state, collective temporal state, and collective temporal disposition. We clarify the conceptualizations of the temporal constructs belonging to each of the four archetypes of subjective time and review their key findings in the organizational literature. Based on this integrative framework, we identify critical knowledge gaps in the current state of research and chart a future agenda with specific suggestions.

The “Other” Time: A Review of the Subjective Experience of Time in Organizations

“…For example, an individual may time travel to the past or future but we know little about how such time travel actually works. A recent review by Tang et al (2020) states that subjective time mechanisms have remained largely in a black box, indicating that such a review is essential. Yet classifying mechanisms across studies is challenging because scholars' identification of a particular mechanism is not always explicit, 8 and many different terms have been used to refer to similar mechanisms.…”

“…Despite these insights, the field has yet to establish a cumulative body of research on the topic of subjective time. A few reviews touching aspects of subjective time are beginning to emerge, focusing on the meaning of time use (Feldman, Reid, & Mazmanian, 2020) or trait versus state differences (Tang, Richter, & Nadkarni, 2020). However, the field lacks a systematic and holistic synthesis of the critical aspects of subjective time across levels and research domains.…”

Hurry up! The role of supervisors’ time urgency and self‐perceived status for autocratic leadership and subordinates’ well‐being

“…It has long been acknowledged that perceptions of and orientations toward time play a distinct role in how individuals navigate the organizational landscape (Ancona, Goodman, Lawrence, & Tushman, 2001; Bluedorn & Jaussi, 2008; Tang et al., 2020). Although leadership scholars have begun to consider temporal dispositions (e.g., Chen, 2020; Chen & Nadkarni, 2017; Gamache & McNamara, 2019; Zhang et al., 2014), important questions remain about the role of time‐based personality characteristics (a) for a supervisor's leadership behavior and (b) for subsequent downstream consequences among subordinates.…”

“…Individuals differ markedly in their subjective perceptions of and orientations toward time (Mohammed & Harrison, 2013), with scholars suggesting that such time‐based personality characteristics can critically influence one's own behavior (Shipp & Cole, 2015; Tang, Richter, & Nadkarni, 2020). In particular, research has found that individuals scoring high on time urgency (defined as the chronic, trait‐like tendency to feel hurried and short on time; Landy, Rastegary, Thayer, & Colvin, 1991) are often highly engaged at work, exhibiting superior job involvement, work speed, and job performance (e.g., Conte, Schwenneker, Dew, & Romano, 2001; Lee, Ashford, & Bobko, 1990).…”

Broadening our horizons in 2020!

“…The final article in this issue, by Tang, Richter, and Nadkarni (), is on subjective time in organizations. This article broadens our horizons by synthesizing temporal research from organizational behavior and related disciplines, such as strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational theory.…”