#1a
Contemporary society has been structured based on western influence, civilization, and the concept of rationality. Through bureaucracy and rationalization, the capitalism of the west and industrialization influenced consumer behavior and organization structure. These aspects led to the creation of what weber terms as a goal-oriented organization through which societal affairs are ordered in bureaucratic fashions. Weber's version of society is based on the fact that bureaucracy presents an organization with shared characteristics. First, the concept of management by rules which is based on a rational examination of social issues and developing the most effective approach to achieving objectives. For instance, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) follows the rules laid down by the state and local government to administer vehicle registration and driver licensing ( About DMV, 2020). In Pasadena City College, both learners and educators follow strict rules meant to achieve specified academic outcomes.
Secondly, weber recognized the concept of division of labor. Ideally, in DMV, tasks are assigned to employees based on specialized skills, while at PCC, educators are given classes based on their academic qualifications and ability to handle specific academic disciplines. Just like Weber's bureaucratic society, the structure is rigid, and both DMV and PCC employees are forced to defend their job functions. Thirdly, for these employees or organizations to advance, they must prove their competency, which makes advancement between bureaucratic levels to be based on accomplishments. The fourth characteristic is efficiency, which weber describes as the hallmark of bureaucracy. At PCC, technology, allocation of resources is harnessed to establish the most efficient way to deliver lectures. Just like in Macdonald, PCC, and DMV, the use of computers takes skills from people (Tsakiris, 2016). These aspects may lead to an inability to respond to basic needs, individual situations as populations strive to achieve hierarchical ranks. This leads to the fifth characteristic, which is impersonality. All these features are focused on a formal hierarchical structure that embroils bureaucracy.
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#1b
Contemporary bureaucracy enables organizations to run efficiently through highly organized networks of command. For instance, Macdonald depends on efficiency, predictability, and calculability to remain proficient. Without such an organization, Tsakiris (2016) argues that the organization may not be able to embrace a smooth chain of command, which is necessary for the organization to run in an orderly manner. PCC is governed by a nine-member board of trustees, a president, and a student trustee. These ensure the organization runs in a practical yet hierarchical manner. Viewed this way, the concept of bureaucracy remains a significant facet of organizational management and progress. However, the bureaucracy ought to be fashioned in such a way that it accommodates human values through realistic job descriptions.
#2
The Amazon Go Store is an ideal description of rationalization or McDonaldization. For efficiency, the store is fixed with contemporary technology to ensure the accessibility of all products in addition to effective customer services ( Tech Insider, 2018). Many expectations are placed on the customer, including self-service and following of organization rules and regulations. To achieve predictability, amazon stores are designed to exhibit similar appearances and services. Just like McDonald's stores, each store is designed and structured to reflect a similar or something close to what customers expect. Calculability is amazon go store is defined by the provision of quantity number of products, including grocery, food products, and drinks, among others. As Sociology Live (2015) elucidates, the store provides everything customers' needs at a low price, which alleviates that aspect of quality over quantity.
Similarly, McDonaldization at Amazon Go tore also ascribes the concept of control. By applying AI technology, high technological sensor, and cameras, the organization has replaced cashiers with computerized systems. Arguably, the impact of McDonaldization is extensively identifiable throughout the Amazon Go Store design, services, and structure.
References
About DMV. (2020). Retrieved 17 May 2020, from https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/about-dmv
Sociology Live. (2015). McDonaldization [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCj_VhLgcmY
Tsakiris, K. (2016). Max Weber's Theory of Rationalization: What It Can Tell us of Modernity . Retrieved 17 May 2020, from https://www.tremr.com/kyle-tsakiris/max-webers-theory-of-rationalization-what-it-can-tell-us-of-modernity
Tech Insider. (2018). Inside the First Amazon Go Store [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdbumR6Bhd8
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/consular_services_consulaires/license-permis.aspx?lang=eng
