The term McDonaldization refers to the process of systemizing jobs and job processes to maximize efficiency and uniformity. The concept has been made popular by the fast food industry, but has also been applied in other industries such as manufacturing and customer service call centers. In a way, it has also been expanded to include consumer behavior as well as employee behavior. This paper is a quick look at why McDonaldization seems to appeal to so many people and if this is good for society as a whole.
McDonaldization seems to be popular because it allows so many young people the opportunity to enter the work world. According to Ritzer, one out of every fifteen American workers got their first job at McDonalds . This does not even take into account the number of American’s who entered the work world with another fast-food establishment using the McDonald principle. The rationalization and sequencing of these jobs makes it easy for young people with no experience to made a living and learn some sense of responsibility.
Ritzer also discussed how McDonaldization has been expanded to the consumer base. Customers are now doing things that used to be done by employees, like carrying food to the table and cleaning up afterward (p 63). This is popular with customers because they know what to expect when they enter the business. They also know that the product offerings and the level of service will be the same from one location to the next.
This process is good for society as a whole because it offers standardization within industries, entry level positions for young, inexperienced workers, and consumer confidence in regards to level and quality of products and services. Some critics may claim that the McDonaldization process does not prepare individuals for advanced positions that require flexibility and new ideas, however, the process does allow young workers the opportunity to gain work experience and develop good work habits that can help with future positions.
References
Ritzer, G. The McDonaldization Thesis: Explorations and Expressions. Sage Publications, 1998.
