An Analysis Of George Ritzer s Fast Food Restaurants

According to Ashley Crossman , â€Å"fast-food restaurants are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world.† This can be summed up with one term, McDonaldization. As a way to easily describe the changes that society was going through, George Ritzer used this as a tool to understand the sociological phenomenon that was upon society. Efficiency, predictability and calculability. According to Ritzer, efficiency is the process of ...choosing the optimum means to a given end. (p.36) Predictability ...emphasizes such things as discipline, order, systematization, formalization, routine, consistency, and methodical operation. In such a society, people prefer to know what to expect in most settings and at most times.(p.79) Calculability â€Å"†¦of outcomes based on quantifiable rather than subjective criteria.† In other words, according to Ritzer, â€Å"quantity over quality. They sell the Big Mac, not the Good Mac.† McDonaldization is the process of rationalization which is the substitution of traditional methods of completing a task, with logical rules. In Weber’s theory, this was the manifestation of the rationalization process, or in other words the bureaucracy; a formal organization compiled of hierarchical authority, regulations, and impersonality and technical competence. An underlying basis of a rationalized society is that almost everything can be rationalized. In his book, George Ritzer takes the ideas of Max Weber and relates them toShow MoreRelatedThe Mcdonaldization Of Society By George Ritzer876 Words   |  4 PagesSociety, author George Ritzer expands on Max Weber’s idea of rationalization. It provides an analysis of the impact of structural change on human interaction and how the fast food industry has come to dominate the American society. Max Weber’s idea of rationalization meant that traditional ways were being replaced with efficiency and thus lacked soc ial interaction. Weber used the bureaucracy to further his explanation, which was impersonal and had many rules. In the book, Ritzer coins the term McDonaldizationRead MoreScientific Management1485 Words   |  6 Pages2. Describe and evaluate the key elements of Frederick Taylor s approach to scientific management’ and comment on its applicability in contemporary organisations (You might select a particular industry or occupational area for this analysis). Introduction Covey (2007) said the backbone of successful organizations can be traced to its management, and whoever that is providing direction for it. 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