TY - JOUR

T1 - The dynamics of prioritizing

T2 - How actors temporally pattern complex role-routine ecologies

AU - Kremser, Waldemar

AU - Blagoev, Blagoy

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2020.

PY - 2021/6

Y1 - 2021/6

N2 - This paper examines the emergence of temporal coordination among multiple interdependent routines in a complex work setting that does not allow for up-front scheduling. We propose that when actors continuously have to prioritize their expected contributions to multiple interdependent routines, they address this challenge by orienting not just toward routines but also toward person-roles. Drawing on an ethnographic study of an agile consulting project team confronted with continued scheduling failures, we demonstrate how the dynamics of prioritizing enabled the actors to resolve what at first appeared to be an irresolvable and highly complex problem of temporal coordination. We add to the literature on routine dynamics and temporality by setting forth the dynamics of prioritizing as an explanation for the temporal patterning of complex work settings. We introduce the notion of role–routine ecologies as a novel way to conceptualize such complex work settings and contribute to developing a performative theory of person-roles and their significance for coordinating.

AB - This paper examines the emergence of temporal coordination among multiple interdependent routines in a complex work setting that does not allow for up-front scheduling. We propose that when actors continuously have to prioritize their expected contributions to multiple interdependent routines, they address this challenge by orienting not just toward routines but also toward person-roles. Drawing on an ethnographic study of an agile consulting project team confronted with continued scheduling failures, we demonstrate how the dynamics of prioritizing enabled the actors to resolve what at first appeared to be an irresolvable and highly complex problem of temporal coordination. We add to the literature on routine dynamics and temporality by setting forth the dynamics of prioritizing as an explanation for the temporal patterning of complex work settings. We introduce the notion of role–routine ecologies as a novel way to conceptualize such complex work settings and contribute to developing a performative theory of person-roles and their significance for coordinating.

KW - Management studies

KW - work

KW - rolle

KW - routine

KW - interdependence

KW - conflict

KW - cooperation

KW - ecology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088840354&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/0001839220948483

DO - 10.1177/0001839220948483

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 66

SP - 339

EP - 379

JO - Administrative Science Quarterly

JF - Administrative Science Quarterly

SN - 0001-8392

IS - 2

ER -