Time Punctuality and Economic Performance

Abstract

This paper employs cross country regression analysis on an index of time punctuality to see whether or not an important cultural trait, time punctuality, influences economic development and other economic performance variables. The results are consistent with the idea that punctuality matters for economic development, and for country innovation, country competitiveness, and the effectiveness of a country’s government. Punctuality is statistically pertinent as an explanatory variable for country performance variables whether it is used singularly on its own in regressions, or in combination with the level of economic development.