Interaction Between American Social And Cultural Development And Corporate Operation: A Case Study Of Mcdonald's

After WWII, profound changes took place in American society and culture, including the rise of consumerism, the adoption of new manufacturing and management philosophies, as well as the change of eating habits. Such social changes are reflected in the development of the fast food industry, in which McDonald's is the most successful one. By adopting Fordism and Taylorism in its operations, McDonald's has grown into a major fast food company with significant influence on American mass culture. In addition, practices such as the operation mode of drive-through and the recruitment of female workers in its restaurants are also shaped by the social and cultural conditions in America. The success of McDonald's inspired other social aspects to adopt Fordism and Taylorism, a process referred to as"rationalization"by Max Weber and"McDonaldization"by George Ritzer. Hence, it is safe to say that the emergence and success of McDonald's is the result of social and cultural development, and that the success of McDonald's has an influence on corporate America and the American society at large.The success of McDonald's inside the United States enables it to expand in the world market and duplicate homogenous fast food chains in other parts of the world. In the process of accepting fast food, people in foreign countries also accept the American culture and values embedded in the food. Hence, the influence of McDonald's is on all spheres of life rather than in the catering field only.