Order Matters, and Thus so Does Timing: Graphical Clocks and Process Synchronicity

F. Gregory Hayden
1993 Journal of Economic Issues  
The purpose of this paper is, first, to review definitions of time; second, to discuss particular dimensions of time; and third, to relate those dimensions to graphical clocks. The value of such clocks for network analysis will be discussed.' The clocks for the integration of system networks will be computerized matrices and concomitant digraphs (graphical clocks). Such networks can be used to provide a standardized system clock to determine timeliness. This places events into a common system,
more » ... hich is timed by sequenced events. The coordination of broadly recumng sets of meaningful events characterizes synchronicity. Thus, timeliness is defined by system synchronicity. Definition of Time Early instrumental philosophers based temporal concepts on individual psychological and mental experience. Josiah Royce dwelt "upon the time consciousness of our relatively direct experience because," according to him, "here lies the basis for every deeper comprehension of the metaphysics both of time and of eternity" [Royce 1904, 4011. This is inappropriate since complex processes such as those articulated by digraph networks contain temporal relationships that need to be heeded by the socioecologi-
doi:10.1080/00213624.1993.11505394 fatcat:dulws6hwmvgwhhuxrys6hh5g3y