Week Nine - Chapters 24

In a sociology class I took recently, I had the opportunity to read two articles “McDonalization of Society” by George Ritzer and “Over the Counter” by Robin Leidner.    Both articles placed a spotlight on the enormous role the McDonald’s corporation has and continues to play in the development of cultures globally.  As McDonald's expands its empire into developing countries it brings with it American values and ethics.  This phenomenon is clearly evident using the map on page 732.With the exception of Antarctica, there is currently a McDonald’s restaurant on every major continent of the globe.

What McDonald’s brings with its restaurants is American standardization.  Every restaurant serves the same base menu the in the same manner throughout the globe.  This ensures that a customer from Shanghai, China can walk in the door of the McDonald's in Menlo Park knowing that his favorite hamburger is going to taste and look the exact same as the one he orders back home.

Additionally, with the food standardization comes a work standardization that is akin to the work distribution that began during the industrial revolution.  Take one job and divide it into ten mindless, simple tasks.  The process of making a hamburger now involves three separate machines with timers and the distribution of a specifically measured amount of condiments and produce.

Finally, the daily work of the line employees of McDonald’s is strictly measured and regulated.  They are unable to deal with concerns raised by customers and they are taught never to deviate from the approved process.  Even their interactions with customers has been regulated to a standardized script offering to “super size” or an apple pie with each order.

According to Fast Food Nation, McDonald’s 150% turnover rate requires them to hire and train 1 million workers annually in the US.  McDonald’s has approximately 761,000 employees worldwide.  That means this year 1.7 million people globally have been indoctrinated with the belief that the work they do at McDonald’s is the way work is done in the real world.  No thought, no skill, simply follow the script without deviation and you will be rewarded.