Time Research Collaboration Center

Time Use in the Future

In 2020, "Why time poverty matters for Individuals, Organisations and Nations" (Giurge et al., 2020) was published in Nature Human Behaviour. It set the world of time research on fire. Here's a tidbit...

"Over the last two decades, global wealth has risen. Yet material affluence has not translated into time affluence. Most people report feeling persistently 'time poor'—like they have too many things to do and not enough time to do them. Time poverty is linked to lower well-being, physical health, and productivity. Individuals, organisations and policymakers often overlook the pernicious effects of time poverty. Billions of dollars are spent each year to alleviate material poverty, while time poverty is often ignored or exacerbated. In this Perspective, we discuss the societal, organisational, institutional, and psychological factors that explain why time poverty is often underappreciated. We argue that scientists, policymakers, and organisational leaders should devote more attention and resources toward understanding and reducing time poverty to promote psychological and economic well-being."

As we look ahead to the rest of 2024 and beyond, with AI and other massively disruptive technological advances coming onto the scene and reshaping our world, the future of time use holds profound implications for human health and well-being. It is crucial to explore whether these advancements will enhance our lives or exacerbate the downward spiral of health and well-being. Recognizing the importance of this issue, here is an open invitation to all scholars from diverse disciplines within our ENGAGE EU community to join a collaborative effort focused on this pivotal topic. We aim to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue that combines insights from both qualitative and quantitative research to explore how management research can enhance future time use comprehensively.

Qualitative researchers are needed to delve into the lived experiences, perceptions, and cultural contexts that shape time management practices. Through in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, and narrative analyses, we can uncover the nuanced ways in which individuals and communities adapt to changing time demands. These insights will provide a rich, contextualized understanding of time use that complements the empirical rigor of quantitative research.

Quantitative researchers are needed to employ statistical analyses, large-scale surveys, and experimental methods to identify patterns and correlations in time-use behaviors. By leveraging data analytics and predictive modeling, we can forecast future trends and develop evidence-based strategies to optimize time management for enhanced well-being.

A dual approach ensures that our findings will be both robust and applicable across different contexts. This group will sit at the intersection of these methodologies, working together to yield comprehensive insights into the future of time use. We aim to highlight strategies that promote not only efficiency but also mental and physical health.

Join us in this exciting collaboration to shape the future of time-use research by contributing your innovative and impactful scholarship, which will benefit the entire academic community and society at large.

The clock is ticking…