Question

In class and in the videos, I described how bureaucracy is used to promote stability in organizations such as the Roman Catholic Church and the U.S. Marines. Explain the elements of bureaucracy that also help McDonalds make the Big Mac and the Quarter Pounder with Cheese taste and look the same all over the U.S.

Answer 1

Big Mac and Quarter Pounder products are two of the most popular products offered by McDonald and It is important for the fast food chain to make it uniform for each part of the USA. To do this, bureaucracy has an important role to play to help McDonald serve Big Mac and Quarter Pounder products. In this regard, the first element of the bureaucracy the technically competent and specialized labor force that know how best to do their job. It brings uniformity and skills at work that prevent deviation when preparing the product. As a result, a same taste, ingredients and feeling can be achieved with big Mac and quarter pounder. The second element of bureaucracy that helps is the stable and clear hierarchical structure that never allows ambiguity. It makes clear to all the branches to stick with the proven method of preparing these products and follow the standards. There should be no scope of variation in work while preparing the products. So, a big Mac and quarter pounders are produced with uniformity for everyone in the different parts of the USA. The third element of bureaucracy is the specific bill of materials and process steps with whom workers have to stick and prepare the product. It makes the same product everywhere in the USA unless the method or its ingredient changes. Even the type of cheese to be used and produced, also does not change. The fourth element of bureaucracy is formal mode of communication that shows the efficient planning at work. It helps in purchase of materials, inventory management and in supply chain. It brings timely delivery of goods and products are served with the same life as it is done for a long time. It makes the taste to be the same.
So, the bureaucracy has a key role to play in making these products to be same across the USA.