chapter: Work and Rationalization

Question 1

The Enlightenment?

Answer 1

-Led more people to new ideas about logic and science as well as reasoning.

– Marked the beginning of the decline of religion’s influence in society.

Question 2

Rationalization as a way of solving problems is thinking based on four factors?

Answer 2

1. Predictability: things that can be repeated with the expectation of the same result.
2. Calculability: things that can be quantified and counted.
3. Efficiency: the best means to a given end.
4. Control: the enhanced certainty of some outcome.

Question 3

Bureaucracies six core features?

Answer 3

1. Based on hierarchically organized “offices”
2. Vertical chain of command
3. Clear division of labour
4. Dominated by technical qualifications
5. Impersonal decision-making
6. Staffed by full-time, salaried employees

Question 4

Commodities?

Answer 4

products that have some monetary value
– E.g., standardized, mass-produced by many different producers

Question 5

Commodification?

Answer 5

the transformation of what is normally a non-commodity

Question 6

Ritzer: two types of organizations that are not rationalized?

Answer 6

1. Organizations from an earlier, “premodern stage” (e.g., independent corner stores)
2. Organizations directly opposed to the McDonaldized way of doing business

Question 7

Division of labour?

Answer 7

the degree by which labour is specialized according to specific and distinct tasks.

Question 8

Scientific Management (Taylorism)?

Answer 8

applies scientific principles and methods to managing workers.
* Dedicated to rationalizing work and making it more efficient by dividing it into increasingly smaller and smaller tasks.

Question 9

Henry Ford two main principles of Taylorism?

Answer 9

1. The standardization of products using moulds that unskilled labour could use to make the same product over and over again.
2. The use of specialized equipment that any worker can use to make the
   products.

Question 10

Benefits of Scientific Management?

Answer 10

– Increased efficiency
– Increased productivity

Question 11

Drawbacks of Scientific Management?

Answer 11

• Worker dissatisfaction with the work and management

Question 12

what is Automation?

Answer 12

when operating equipment is run with minimal or reduced human activity.
– Saves labour and helps improve the quality and precision of the labour process.
– Can also lead to job loss and change the nature of the work for those on the assembly line.

Question 13

what is outsourcing?

Answer 13

– moving operations to a different, more low-cost country.

Question 14

Primary sector?

Answer 14

Primary sector: the work of harvesting or extracting resources
* Mining, forestry, farming, fishing

Question 15

Secondary sector?

Answer 15

Secondary sector: the work of manufacturing finished goods
* Automobile production, textile manufacturing, construction

Question 16

Tertiary sector?

Answer 16

Tertiary sector: the service industry, i
* Retail sales, transportation, distribution.

Question 17

Precarious Employment?

Answer 17

workers with no benefits, employers have full control over labourers, workers are easily replaceable and treated poorly.

Question 18

what is Emotional Labour?

Answer 18

• The employee is expected to provide the public with a product or service but also to make the customer feel a certain way.
• Employees are trained to do this by employers, giving the employer control over their employees’ emotions.