A Dyadic Approach Toward The Interpersonal Consequences Of Time Pressure

Although time pressure can decisively shape employees' behavior, little remains known about the consequences associated with differing perceptions of time pressure between cooperating individuals. Hence, this investigation uses two experimental studies (across different cultural contexts) to examine the joint role of a focal individual's (i.e., an actor's) and a dyadic interaction partner's time pressure perceptions for the actor's behavior toward the partner. Results demonstrated that actors' time pressure perceptions were positively related to their time-oriented behavior (i.e., pacing and synchronizing joint activities). In Study 1 (but not Study 2), the partner's time pressure moderated this association, such that the linkage between an actor's time pressure and time-oriented behavior was more pronounced when the partner experienced lower (rather than higher) time pressure. Furthermore, across both studies, the partner's time pressure perceptions moderated the linkage between an actor's time pressure and relationship-oriented behavior (i.e., being friendly and considerate). This linkage was positive when the partner experienced high time pressure, but nonsignificant (Study 1) or even negative (Study 2) when the partner experienced low time pressure. Together, these findings advance new insights into the consequences of time pressure in cooperating dyads, illustrating that conflicting time pressure perceptions may critically influence individuals' interpersonal behavior.