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Time and organizational improvisation

Author

Listed:
  • Mary Crossan
  • Joao Vieira da Cunha
  • Miguel Pina e Cunha
  • Dusya Vera

Abstract

This paper argues that the apparent contradiction in current conceptualizations of time in organizations (e.g., Chronos vs. Kairos) is only apparent, and that a synthesis between these opposing poles is both possible and desirable. We propose improvisation (where time to plan converges with time to act) as a vehicle for articulating a dialectical view of time-based organizational phenomena, while focusing on the three major time-related problems organizations have to solve: scheduling, synchronization, and allocation. The paper discusses how improvisation helps to synthesize even time and event time in scheduling processes, internal pacing and external pacing in synchronization processes, and linear and cyclical time in allocation processes. Methodological and practical obstacles to synthesis are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary Crossan & Joao Vieira da Cunha & Miguel Pina e Cunha & Dusya Vera, 2002. "Time and organizational improvisation," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp410, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:unl:unlfep:wp410
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Paul A. Pavlou & Omar A. El Sawy, 2010. "The “Third Hand”: IT-Enabled Competitive Advantage in Turbulence Through Improvisational Capabilities," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 21(3), pages 443-471, September.
    4. Dusya Vera & Mary Crossan, 2005. "Improvisation and Innovative Performance in Teams," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 16(3), pages 203-224, June.
    5. Karevold, Knut Ivar & Teigen, Karl Halvor, 2010. "Progress framing and sunk costs: How managers' statements about project progress reveal their investment intentions," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 719-731, August.
    6. Wouter P. L. van Galen & Bob Walrave & Sharon A. M. Dolmans & A. Georges L. Romme, 2021. "Charging for Collaboration: Exploring the Dynamics of Temporal Fit in Interdependent Constellations for Innovation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-23, August.
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    8. Liliana Pérez-Nordtvedt & G. Tyge Payne & Jeremy C. Short & Ben L. Kedia, 2008. "An Entrainment-Based Model of Temporal Organizational Fit, Misfit, and Performance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(5), pages 785-801, October.
    9. Valérie-Inès de La Ville, 2006. "Collective learning processes in high tech firms," Post-Print hal-01845200, HAL.
    10. David Müller, 2008. "Bestimmungsfaktoren der Improvisation im Unternehmen," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 255-277, February.
    11. Martínez-Martínez, Aurora & Cegarra-Navarro, Juan-Gabriel & García-Pérez, Alexeis, 2015. "Environmental knowledge management: A long-term enabler of tourism development," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 281-291.
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    15. Gerardo Patriotta & Daniel A. Gruber, 2015. "Newsmaking and Sensemaking: Navigating Temporal Transitions Between Planned and Unexpected Events," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(6), pages 1574-1592, December.
    16. Hmieleski, Keith M. & Corbett, Andrew C., 2008. "The contrasting interaction effects of improvisational behavior with entrepreneurial self-efficacy on new venture performance and entrepreneur work satisfaction," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 482-496, July.
    17. P. M., Suresh Kumar & Aithal, Sreeramana, 2020. "Time as a Strategic Resource in Management of Organizations," MPRA Paper 104026, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Anthony K.P. Wensley & Juan Gabriel Cegarra‐Navarro & Gabriel Cepeda‐Carrión & Antonio Genaro Leal Millán, 2011. "How entrepreneurial actions transform customer capital through time," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(1), pages 132-150, March.
    19. Liu, Yang & Lv, Diwei & Ying, Ying & Arndt, Felix & Wei, Jiang, 2018. "Improvisation for innovation: The contingent role of resource and structural factors in explaining innovation capability," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 74, pages 32-41.
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    21. Miguel Pina e Cunha, 2003. "Time travelling: organisational foresight as temporal reflexity," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp426, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.

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    Keywords

    Improvisation; planning; time;
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