Discussion: View Thread

From: Armando Gallegos [mailto:agallegos@gerens.org]

Dear netters: one of my clients has requested an study which is connected
with allocation of managers� time among multiple activities. This, of
course, is evocative of Mintzberg�s (1973) classical study about the nature
of the managerial work. Mintzberg pioneering study provides some estimates
about distribution of number of activities, distribution of time, verbal
contacts, and so on. 29 years latter, of course, the nature of managerial
work has changed (witness Intranet, Internet, work group, globalization,
etc.), however the literature about addressing this aspects seems to be
scarse. I have initiated a search about current references, instruments or
cues about this fascinating topic. I will appreciate any comment and
suggestions.

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Armando Gallegos Monteagudo, Ph.D.
Gerente General
GERENS Escuela de Gesti�n y Econom�a
Av. Velasco Astete 1491, Surco
Lima 33, PERU

agallegos@gerens.org
Tlf: (511) 275-3271, (511) 275-4822
Fax: (511) 275-4824

URL: www.gerens.org

From: DebBWoods@aol.com [mailto:DebBWoods@aol.com]
Armando,

I am currently developing a dissertation proposal to study the experience of
time by middle managers in health care facilities. There is a large but
very
fragmented body of literature on time in general, and in organizations
specifically. Likewise, there are a number of quantitative instruments that
study elements of time. For example, a recent thread in the literature
involves assessing polychronicity - or the preference to do multiple things
at once.

My study will be phenomenological - seeking to understand the subjective
experience of managers in a particularly complex and rapidly changing
environment. If you have particular questions, I might be able to provide
some sources. You can contact me privately at DebBWoods@aol.com.

Obviously, I would also be interested in hearing from anyone else who is
doing, or has recently done, work in this area.

Deb Bennett-Woods
DebBWoods@aol.com