A Selective Review of Time Assumptions in Strategy Research

Abstract

Concepts of time vary dramatically across individuals and cultures. We draw from work in anthropology, psychology, sociology, and management to identify five time dimensions that guide our review and discussion of dynamic strategic management research. Although strategy researchers incorporate time in many ways, they generally ignore a subjective view of time and the temporal perceptions of actors in their models. We conclude by suggesting how strategy researchers and practitioners can incorporate an unambiguous and multifaceted view of time explicitly into their work.