McDonaldization

McDonaldization is the process by which a society takes on the characteristics of a fast-food restaurant. The term was coined by sociologist George Ritzer, who wrote the book The McDonaldization of Society . McDonaldization is an extension of rationalization, or moving from traditional to rational modes of thought, and scientific management.

Ritzer highlighted four primary components of McDonaldization:

• Efficiency - the optimal method for accomplishing a task
• Calculability - objective should be quantifiable (i.e. sales) rather than subjective (i.e. taste)
• Predictability - standardized and uniform services
• Control - standardized and uniform employees

It can also refer to the replacement of traditional restaurants with McDonald's.

See also

• McJob
• McMansion
• McWorld
• Coca colonialism
• organizational studies

Literature on McDonaldization

• The McDonaldization of Society by George Ritzer
• "McDonaldization of America's Police, Courts, and Corrections" by Matthew B. Robinson
• "McCitizens" by Bryan Turner
• Resisting McDonaldization ed. Barry Smart
• Golden Arches East: McDonald's in East Asia by James L. Watson
• Sociology of Consumption: Fast Food, Credit Cards and Casinos ed. George Ritzer