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Clock time vs. event time: Temporal culture or self-regulation?

Author

Listed:
  • Tamar Avnet

    (Yeshiva University)

  • Anne-Laure Sellier

    (New York University - NYU - New York University [New York] - NYU - NYU System)

Abstract

Cross-cultural research documented two types of temporal culture governing the way individuals schedule tasks over time: clock-time, where individuals let an external clock dictate when tasks begin/end; and event-time, where tasks are planned relative to other tasks and individuals transition between them when they internally sense that the former task is complete. In contrast with this prior literature - that credits culture as the reason for variation in temporal norms - we show in two experiments that individuals choose clock- vs. event-time as a self-regulation strategy to achieve a regulatory goal (efficiency vs. effectiveness). A third experiment shows that this strategy enhances confidence and performance on a task. Participants solved significantly more math problems when their task scheduling (clock- vs. event-time) matched their regulatory state (promotion vs. prevention). Since clock-/event-time may both lead to superior performance, clock-time is not the single best way to organize productive activities in industrial societies--a result that counters a foundational principle of modern economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamar Avnet & Anne-Laure Sellier, 2011. "Clock time vs. event time: Temporal culture or self-regulation?," Post-Print hal-00668709, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00668709
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2011.01.006
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jordan Etkin & Cassie Mogilner, 2016. "Does Variety Among Activities Increase Happiness?," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 43(2), pages 210-229.
    2. Cantor, David E. & Blackhurst, Jennifer V. & Cortes, Juan David, 2014. "The clock is ticking: The role of uncertainty, regulatory focus, and level of risk on supply chain disruption decision making behavior," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 159-172.
    3. Rai Dipankar & Lin Chien-Wei (Wilson) & Ierlan Magdoleen T., 2016. "The Influence of Scheduling Style on Assortment Size," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 11(4), pages 553-565, December.
    4. Rai, Dipankar & (Wilson) Lin, Chien-Wei & Jiraporn, Napatsorn, 2021. "The impact of scheduling styles on time-limited promotions: The moderating role of redemption frames," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 774-786.
    5. Miao, Li & Yang, Fiona X. & Im, Jinyoung & Zhang, Qiao, 2024. "Flexwork and flextravel," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).

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