Critically analyse Ritzer's theory of ‘McDonaldization' and the associated term ‘McJobs'. To what extent do you agree with Ritzer's argument that a ‘McDonaldization of Society' is occurring in modern times, said to be characterized by the increasing rationalisation of work organisation? Illustrate arguments with practical real-world examples. In this essay, I will be critically analysing Ritzer's theory of ‘Mcdonaldization' as well as examining the associated term ‘Mcjobs'. After identifying the key aspects of the topic, I will then decide whether I personally believe that a ‘Mcdonaldization of society' is occurring in modern times due to the increasing rationalization of the work organisation, which will be illustrated with real-world examples. To analyse the theory of McDonaldization we must first determine where the phrase originated from. Ritzer's theory is considered to be an extended version of Max Weber's (1921/1958,1921/1968) theory of rationalization, alluding to the …show more content…
For example, McDonald's drive-through is the most efficient way for customers to get a quick and easy meal. Predictability guarantees that products and services provided by McDonald's will stay the same. Calculability accentuates the quantifiable aspects of a product regarding its size and cost and the amount of time it takes for a customer to receive their food. McDonald's put emphasis on the term quantity of quality, although a McDonald's meal is not of the highest quality compared to other restaurants the company offer customers more for their money, for example, their 99p menu, where you can get several items such as a cheeseburger for less than a pound. Finally, control/dehumanization, deskilling the workforce by giving team members a limited number of simple tasks under the watchful eye of managers alongside the introduction of predictable non-human labor in the form of new
Chapter one examines the various occupations at McDonalds's. Barbara Garson finds that most workers here tend to dislike their jobs. Due to the tremendous amount of stress created by automated systems such as timers and computer generated productivity statistics McDonald's has a high turn over rate in employment.
Etzioni states that when people work at fast food businesses, it sets an nonacademic standard of working conditions. Workers are being taught specific roles in the workplace that are mapped out for them the way it is required to be, which leaves “[...] no room for initiative, creativity, or even elementary rearrangements” (Etzioni). Etzioni shares his idea that fast food industries are training “robots”. These “robots’ follow commands mindlessly, whether it be cutting into homework or family time, dropping out of school, or doing whatever it takes just to keep a job that is supposed to be the initial training ground in work experience.
The theory of “McDonaldization” describes the way different aspects of the modern world are taking on more and more of the “principles of the fast food restaurant” (Ritzer 1). Obviously, the term stems from the restaurant “McDonald’s” itself; however, McDonaldization is present in many restaurants, industries, politics, religion, and many aspects of social life as well. For example, the music industry has become increasingly McDonaldized. Artists are expected to produce many albums in a certain amount of time, they are expected to look the same and sound the same at any concerts they give, and most popular music is created through Auto Tune and producers cutting and pasting snippets of a song together. The modern idea of going on vacation is similarly McDonaldized. For example, you can go to another country, hire a tour guide to show you as many of the most popular spots as possible, as fast as possible. Your picture is taken in front of certain attractions, you are taken to certain places to eat, and you stay in certain places. It’s very efficient, the cost is easily calculated, and it’s incredibly predictable. For this paper, I will
Another thing that stood out was they way these fast food places treat their workers. Their policy of automation has created a whole group of people that do not have to think to do their job. These people – usually teenagers – are paid minimum wage to push buttons and do all of the jobs that used to be done by hand. It gains governm...
The ethnographic study took place at McDonalds’ shop, Leeds, local market in the afternoon of Monday, 17th January 2011. From away I could observe the huge logo of McDonalds. I stood at the entrance and stared at the shop for few seconds. The shop was far more elegant than the average McDonald’s. The interior has a minimal style with posh chairs, tables, black art deco fixtures, beautiful paintings and attractive lights and draperies. There were large windows so it was impossible for customers to see into the Harvey Nichols store. Also, outside were window boxed filled with flowers or greenery. I could hear some relaxing music. At first glance, I noticed that customers were people with different age groups, genders, ethnic classes, social classes and cultural backgrounds. The language which was more spoken was English. [Without thinking, I was moving towards the counter, I faced] the girl behind the counter [; she] was wearing a red t-shirt with a cap and a hut. She seemed to be in a rush to handle the orders. Despite that, she was friendly and with a smile on the face to welcome the customers. The most co...
In today’s world, technology and current norms drive a large portion of everyday life that the vocabulary becomes a common universal language. For example, if you don’t know or understand something, just “google” or ask “siri” about it, write a “blog” about a recent experience, or witnessed the latest “post” that has received over 1.6K “likes”. George Ritzer describes the same thing with the fast food restaurant McDonald’s in his video “The McDonaldization of Society”. He defines McDonaldization as the process by which principles of the fast food restaurant have begun to overflow and dominate all aspects of our world.
When Ritzer began writing and talking about the dangers of "McDonaldization," he struck a nerve: some agreed with him, but many others rushed to defend the pop-culture institution. He went on to write a social critique on the subject, applying sociological theories to the culture in a way that lay readers would understand. The McDonaldization of Society (Pine Forge/Sage Publications) was successful enough that he wrote several follow-ups, including The McDonaldization Thesis and Enchanting a Disenchanted World (both Sage Publications).
Watson, T. (2008) The Meaning of Work. The Sociology of Work and Industry. London: Routledge.
One of the most shocking books of the generation is Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation. The novel includes two sections, "The American Way" and "Meat and Potatoes,” that aid him in describing the history and people who have helped shape up the basics of the “McWorld.” Fast Food Nation jumps into action at the beginning of the novel with a discussion of Carl N. Karcher and the McDonald’s brothers. He explores their roles as “Gods” of the fast-food industry. Schlosser then visits Colorado Springs and investigates the life and working conditions of the typical fast-food industry employee. Starting out the second section, Schlosser travels to the western side of Colorado to examine the effects presented to the agriculture world in the new economy. Following Schlosser’s journey across the nation, he leads everything up to slaughterhouses and the main supply of income for fast food franchises – the meat. After visiting the meat industries in America, Schlosser explores the expansion of fast food around the eastern hemisphere – including the first McDonalds in Germany. Throughout Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser presents in his point of view and informative tone, a detailed disscussion of the conditions using various examples imagry and flowing diction/syntax to help support and show his audience the reasoning behind the novel.
Kincheloe, Joe. The sign of the burger: McDonald's and the culture of power. Philadelphia: Temple Univ Press, 2002. 9-185. Print.
The McDonaldization of Society The McDonaldization of society may sound somewhat misleading but the term actually refers to the rationalization of society. The use of the word "McDonaldization" just simply indicates that the fast food restaurant is one of many great examples of rationality. Ritzer discusses five dimensions that characterize rationality or a rationalized society: efficiency, predictability, calculability, the use and preference of non-human technology, and the control over uncertainty. The five characteristics can be noticed in various aspects of society which exemplifies the extent that rationality affects our society and societies worldwide. In this paper I will summarize Ritzer's discussion of these five characteristics and give possible examples of each dimension.
Ritzer, George. The McDonaldization of Society: An Investigation into the Changing Character of Contemporary Social Life, Rev.Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press, 1996.
RITZER, G (2008) The McDonaldisation of Society (5th edition) London: Sage. (Ch. 3 – Efficiency)
It has been estimated that one out of eight workers at some point of their career worked at McDonald's. Today there are approximately 3.5 million fast food workers and they constitute the largest group of the minimum wage earners in the country. According to Schlosser, "the only Americans who consistently earn a lower hourly wage are migrant farm workers ." "Fast Food Nation" is the story of the postwar America. Fast food industry has pushed the homogenization of our society. The author is very convincing in making his arguments and supports them with a wide variety of examples. It is impossible to disagree with what he is saying because the evidence in support to his statements is around us.
The challenges and recommendations are concluded in the paper. McDonalds is the largest chain of fast food joints in the world. Organizations like McDonalds should inculcate qualities like flexibility because the co-workers have their own persona and quantities which makes them different from other. An organization should focus on the qualities that a worker brings into the organizations irrespective of their color and race. Periodical review and feedback should be taken the franchises and the management so checks whether the workers are happy or not. Language is a tool of communication, delivering a message-but it is much more than that; it has strengths and weakness which project national character and even philosophy (LEWIS, Richard D., 2004). Philosophers still think inadequate measures are taken to control environmental issues. Theories are secondary we need more active participants than passive