The impact of hypercompetitive “timescapes” on the development of a global mindset

Abstract

Many managers are experiencing a “quickening” of their decision‐making processes. The globalization of business, the advances in communications technology and increasing demand for prompt data analysis and interpretation have been the primary drivers on the impact of time for decision making. Modifications in the timeline of decision makers affect the development of a corporate global mindset in a complex manner. This leaves top managers groping for a meaningful decision‐making framework that provides rationale to justify their choices under time pressure. In this article, a decisional framework based on the notion of social time or “timescape” is developed. The construct of timescape is captured by seven dimensions: time frame, tempo, temporality, (a)synchronization, sequence, emerging pauses/gaps and simultaneity. Each is examined in a global environment. Within the proposed framework, decision rules are developed relative to the flexibility and responsiveness of managers’ decisions.