Too Late? What Do You Mean? Cultural Norms Regarding Lateness for Meetings and Appointments

Abstract

In this study, we extend the research on lateness for meetings and appointments by taking a cultural norms perspective among South African ( n = 76), Dutch ( n = 86), and Pakistani ( n = 83) respondents. Based upon the distinction between clock time and event time cultures, we examined time norms related to lateness. Pakistani respondents (from an event time culture) differed from the other two groups (from clock time cultures) in how they defined lateness to business meetings. Also, they found larger time intervals of lateness acceptable for appointments than the other two groups Based upon considerations related to power distance, we additionally tested whether not only clock or event time but also status would matter to lateness norms. In contrast to the South African and Pakistani respondents, Dutch respondents did not allow longer waiting times for people with higher status. We discuss our results in light of theoretical and practical implications and provide suggestions for future research.

The Ubiquity of Meeting Lateness! A Cross-Cultural Investigation of the Small to Moderate Effects of Workplace Meeting Lateness

“…Given this, they conclude that country is not a good proxy for culture, but rather using professions, socio-economic classes, and free versus oppressed societies may prove more fruitful. Thus, consistent with Taras et al (2016), the lack of variation across national cultures in our findings may be due to individual experiences being shaped by more specific environmental and contextual factors, such as the workplace.…”

“…In line with our findings, several scholars have suggested that national culture may not be the best way to distinguish cultures anymore. Taras et al (2016) performed a meta-analysis of 558 studies for the purpose of discovering whether country or political boundaries are adequate proxies for culture. They found that 80% of cultural variation resides within rather than between countries.…”

“…Would hierarchy level in the corporation relate to both individual behavior and reactions to individuals arriving late? These and other questions suggest that more studies are needed to further our understanding of meetings and meeting lateness across cultures and even within a given culture (Taras et al, 2016).…”

Cross-Cultural Differences That Occurred During The Trip Provided by Malang Tourism Information Center and Strategies to Cope With It

“…Then, human beings should be aware of differences of the diversity. Eerde and Azar (2020) states that the awareness of these differences between each other may help in intercultural co-operation especially when being a tour guide, that helps both parties to be more comfortable and to have mutual respect, also to have understanding with each other. Also, being aware of and respecting the culture that exists in tourists' countries and in our country can avoid misunderstandings that occur when people from different cultures interact (Ewah & Osang, 2018) during the visit.…”

A comparison of business meeting practices in Germany and Spain

“…Gelfand et al 2017). Previous empirical work in this regard is scarce, but points to potential differences in the way meetings are conducted in different national cultures as well as the need to consider culture when studying business meetings (Angouri 2010;Aritz and Walker 2010;Du-Babcock and Tanaka 2013;van Eerde and Azar 2020;van Eerde and Buengeler 2015;Joardar et al 2019;Köhler et al 2012;Lü 2018;Murata 2014;Paletz et al 2018). While the practice of meetings is widespread across different types of organizations and cultures, the specific aspects of how meetings are designed, how people behave as they enter the meeting space, and what happens during and after meetings may differ depending on the respective cultural setting.…”