Temporal Events and Problem Structuring

Abstract

Problems come with a history and sometimes an assumed future. Our understanding of the past and our assumptions of the future shape the way we structure problems. In this paper, we explore how the past and the future might influence temporality in problem structuring and identify the utility of linkage theory in providing temporal understanding. Data for this paper are derived from trade treaty negotiations conducted by the USA and Singapore (2000–2003), Australia and Singapore (2000–2003) and Australia and the USA (2003–2004). These three negotiations, occurring concurrently or consecutively in time, allow us to examine a temporal quality to problem-structuring through linkage theory. This study enriches our understanding of the problem-structuring methods literature by focusing on how temporal issues play a role in how problems are structured. The negotiation context described earlier is used as an exemplar of how temporal issues affect problem structuring. Our aim is to begin a discussion on how and if a temporal perspective can be handled methodologically.