This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Orlikowski, W. J. Articles by Yates, J. Search for Related Content

It's About Time: Temporal Structuring in Organizations

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management (E53-325), 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142-1347
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management (E52-544), 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142-1347
wanda(mit.edu
jyates(mit.edu

In this paper we propose the notion of temporal structuring as a way of understanding and studying time as an enacted phenomenon within organizations. We suggest that through their everyday action, actors produce and reproduce a variety of temporal structures which in turn shape the temporal rhythm and form of their ongoing practices. A focus on temporal structuring, combined with a practice perspective, allows us to bridge the subjective-objective dichotomy that underlies much of the existing research on time in organizations. After developing the notion of temporal structuring, we illustrate its use in the context of a prior empirical study. We conclude by outlining some implications of temporal structuring for organizational research on time.

Key Words: Time; Temporal Structures; Structuring; Practice

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Yli-Kauhaluoma Time at R&D Work: Types and strategies of time in the collaborative development of a chemical technology Time Society, March 1, 2009; 18(1): 130 - 153. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Moshe Temporary versus Permanent: Time framing in the Israeli political arena Time Society, March 1, 2009; 18(1): 154 - 171. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Lee and J.-H. Lee Time to Change, Time for Change: Time as a catalyst for organizational change Time Society, September 1, 2008; 17(2-3): 363 - 384. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Simard Conducting Projects in Uncertain Times: The Case of Electric Power Lines Public Works Management Policy, April 1, 2008; 12(4): 578 - 589. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. W. Turner and N. L. Reinsch Jr. The Business Communicator as Presence Allocator: Multicommunicating, Equivocality, and Status at Work Journal of Business Communication, January 1, 2007; 44(1): 36 - 58. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Knights Passing the Time in Pastimes, Professionalism and Politics: Reflecting on the ethics and epistemology of time studies Time Society, September 1, 2006; 15(2-3): 251 - 274. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. H. Van de Ven and M. S. Poole Alternative Approaches for Studying Organizational Change Organization Studies, September 1, 2005; 26(9): 1377 - 1404. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. P. Rothbard, K. W. Phillips, and T. L. Dumas Managing Multiple Roles: Work-Family Policies and Individuals' Desires for Segmentation Organization Science, May 1, 2005; 16(3): 243 - 258. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Ramo Spatio-temporal Notions and Organized Environmental Issues: An Axiology of Action Organization, November 1, 2004; 11(6): 849 - 872. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. G. L. Romme Unanimity Rule and Organizational Decision Making: A Simulation Model Organization Science, November 1, 2004; 15(6): 704 - 718. [Abstract] [PDF]