Conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural values
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 28 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This article analyzes the relationships between different conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural values.
Design/methodology/approach
We focus on three major aspects of time, namely, 1) duration, 2) orientation and 3) tempo. Furthermore, we draw on modernization theory to distinguish between agrarian/traditional and industrial/modern societies and their respective cultural values.
Findings
Analyses indicate that agrarian/traditional societies with cultural values such as collectivism, survival, religiosity and hierarchical structures are marked by subjective/cyclical/inaccurate, past-oriented and slow-paced conceptions of time. In contrast, industrial/modern societies with cultural values such as individualism, self-expression, secularism and egalitarianism are marked by objective/linear/accurate, future-oriented and accelerated conceptions of time.
Originality/value
This paper introduces an original conceptualization of the three dimensions of time – duration, orientation and tempo – previously overlooked in the literature. Additionally, it provides an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the relationships between time, culture and socioeconomic development.
Keywords
Citation
Yeganeh, H. (2024), "Conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural values", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0305
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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