datafication
The transformation of various forms of information into quantifiable data, crucial for the operation of digital McDonaldized systems.
1 chapter across 1 book
The McDonaldization of Society: Into the Digital Age (2019)George Ritzer
Chapter 7 of The McDonaldization of Society: Into the Digital Age explores the irrational consequences of rational systems, particularly focusing on how McDonaldization manifests inefficiencies, dehumanization, and homogenization in both brick-and-mortar and digital contexts. The chapter highlights the shift of McDonaldization's center from physical fast-food restaurants to digital platforms like Amazon.com, emphasizing the role of big data, prosumers, and the blending of physical and digital consumption spaces. It also discusses the need to update the McDonaldization thesis to address these digital realities while acknowledging the persistence of irrationalities within rationalized systems.