The Impact of Monochronic and Polychronic Time on Business
Running head: The Impact of Monochronic and Polychronic Time on Business
The Impact of Monochronic and Polychronic Time on Business
Shannon Bradley
Shorter University
The Impact of Monochronic and Polychronic Time on Business The majority of international business communication is non-verbal. Non-verbal communication uses facial expressions, hand gestures and actions instead of words. This type of communication is based on sight and not the concept of time. But a lot of managers need to realize that the concept of time is also important to doing international business and dealing with other cultures. The way time is perceived, structured and how people react to time an important communication tool (Chronemics, 2011). Traditionally, cultures use either monochronic time or polychronic time (Quion, 2008). Cultures can either be considered monochronic or polychronic. An anthropologist named Edward T. Hall was the first person to use the words monochronic and polychronic in referring to other cultures in 1907 (Kaufman-Scarborough, 1999). He observed that polychronic people do several things at once, while monochronic cultures emphasize doing one thing at a time (Wessel, 2009). While doing business in other countries, managers should consider the impact of monochromic and polychromic time on business. Monochromic is a high-time (Schell & Solomon, 2009) culture is that has a very strict way of viewing time. Monochromic cultures make use of monochronic or linear time (Schell & Solomon, 2009). The use of deadlines and concise communication to get work done is very important to a monochromic culture. They like to have fixed projects and outcomes. Time is to be used efficiently and is spent on useful things. Meetings in companies need to have an agenda, start on time, follow the agenda and finish on schedule. During the meetings actual decisions are taken and real work is done. People stick to the plan, emphasize promptness, and are
The Impact of Monochronic and Polychronic Time on Business
Shannon Bradley
Shorter University
The Impact of Monochronic and Polychronic Time on Business The majority of international business communication is non-verbal. Non-verbal communication uses facial expressions, hand gestures and actions instead of words. This type of communication is based on sight and not the concept of time. But a lot of managers need to realize that the concept of time is also important to doing international business and dealing with other cultures. The way time is perceived, structured and how people react to time an important communication tool (Chronemics, 2011). Traditionally, cultures use either monochronic time or polychronic time (Quion, 2008). Cultures can either be considered monochronic or polychronic. An anthropologist named Edward T. Hall was the first person to use the words monochronic and polychronic in referring to other cultures in 1907 (Kaufman-Scarborough, 1999). He observed that polychronic people do several things at once, while monochronic cultures emphasize doing one thing at a time (Wessel, 2009). While doing business in other countries, managers should consider the impact of monochromic and polychromic time on business. Monochromic is a high-time (Schell & Solomon, 2009) culture is that has a very strict way of viewing time. Monochromic cultures make use of monochronic or linear time (Schell & Solomon, 2009). The use of deadlines and concise communication to get work done is very important to a monochromic culture. They like to have fixed projects and outcomes. Time is to be used efficiently and is spent on useful things. Meetings in companies need to have an agenda, start on time, follow the agenda and finish on schedule. During the meetings actual decisions are taken and real work is done. People stick to the plan, emphasize promptness, and are
Cited: Chronemics. (2011, May 9). Retrieved Augus 3, 11, from Wickipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronemics Kaufman-Scarborough, C. L. (1999). TIME MANAGEMENT AND POLYCHRONICITY: COMPARISONS, CONTRASTS, AND INSIGHTS FOR THE WORKPLACE . Journal of Managerial Psychology, special issue on Polychronicity , 288-312. Quion, M. (2008, December 20). POLYCHRONIC. Retrieved August 3, 11, from World Wide Words : http://www.worldwidewords.org/turnsofphrase/tp-pol2.htm Schell, M., & Solomon, C. (2009). Managing Across Cultures. New York: McGraw-Hill. Wessel, R. (2009, January 9). Is there time to slowdown. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from Rhea Wessel: http://www.rheawessel.com/clips_istheretimetoslowdown.htm