Chinese managers' time management disposition in first-tier cities in China

Abstract

People from different countries often deal with time in a dissimilar manner. Wrong interpretations of time or a difference in the perception of time can lead to misunderstandings at the workplace, which are often caused by cultural differences. This study examined Chinese managers' perceptions of time management in first-tier cities in China. To collect data, 14 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted to understand how Chinese managers perceive the concept of time management. The findings showed that Chinese managers are involved in active time management. The main factors that influenced their time management dispositions are perceptions of work, time pressure, work planning, workplace challenges, and time management efficiency. Besides, the corporate, social-cultural, and geographic environment impacted their time management behaviour. The findings provide important insights for Chinese managers about their perceptions of time and their awareness of time management. Further discussion and implications are provided.