Polychronicity and multipresence: A grounded theory of e-learning time-awareness as expressed by Portuguese academics' time concepts

This paper makes an attempt to systematise and theorise the variety of time-bound terms and understandings used by academics for analysing and describing e-learning time properties. This temporal consideration has value in information systems development because, by taking into account polychronicity and multipresence as designated foci of academic processes and educational work rhythms, Higher Education Institutions will be able to implement e-learning systems which better fit academics' temporal behaviour. Recommendations are further advanced concerning the alignment of academics' time concepts with the properties of embedded e-learning.