sociology

sociology

Punctuality: A Research Agenda
Lu´ M B Cabral∗
ıs
New York University and CEPR
Gon¸alo Pacheco-de-Almeida∗
c
New York University
Very preliminary draft: January 2006

Abstract
We address the issue of punctuality from an economics and from a strategy
point of view, dealing both with theoretical and empirical approaches. Our empirical work is based on a dataset of construction projects from the petrochemical industry. We propose a series of games that characterize basic elements of
strategic behavior in the context of punctuality. The preliminary and theoretical analyzes serve as a springboard for a research agenda on the economics and
strategy of punctuality.
Keywords: punctuality, timing, culture, competitive advantage, organization
economics, international business, development.



Stern School of Business, New York University, 44 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10012.
Email addresses: lcabral@stern.nyu.edu, gpacheco@stern.nyu.edu

Contents
1 Introduction

2

2 What is punctuality?

2

3 A dataset from the petrochemical industry

3

4 Empirical patterns
4.1 Measures of punctuality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 Cultural and economic determinants of punctuality . . . . . . . . . .

7
7
9

5 Punctuality games
5.1 A game of timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2 A game of precision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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6 A research agenda
6.1 Multinational firm strategy . . . . . . .
6.2 Firm alliances and competitive strategy
6.3 Punctuality and organizational structure
6.4 Culture and economic development . . .
6.5 Business cycles and time to build . . . .

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