It's About Time: a Study of Norwegian Managers' Handling of Time at Work

This thesis enhances existing insights and knowledge about how managers handle their time through exploring how Norwegian managers handle time at work. More specifically, the thesis aims at answering the research questions; What do Norwegian managers perceive relevant to pay attention to when makeing choices and prioritizing time at work? and Does perceived access to resources have effect on managers¿ perceived room for exercising choice and if so how and to what extent? In the first part, these research questions are approached from a rational, structural perspective. Empirical data from an extensive leadership survey (N=3172) is analysed. In the second part the rational assumption underlying existing contributions is questioned as a third research question is introduced: To what extent and in what ways is managers¿ handling of time a result of choice? To address this question, a cultural perspective is probed. More precisely, theory focusing on managers¿ underlying logic of action and level of reflection is consulted. The findings underlines the importantance of recognizing that managers handle time in more or less mindful ways.