In This Team Assignment You Will Watch The Founder 2016 Movi
In Thisteam Assignment You Will Watchthe Founder2016a Movie That I
In this team assignment, you will watch The Founder (2016)—a movie that illustrates Scientific Management—and write a 2-page paper as a team that addresses the following questions:
· Who was the founder of McDonald’s? How did he manipulate his way to this position?
· How did the original McDonald's restaurant practice scientific management?
· What is your group's takeaway from how McDonald's was started?
In order to watch the movie, you will need Netflix. You can get a free 7-day offer. Unfortunately, it will not stream on zoom, at least on my zoom. Please see the Teams tab for your group members.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The film "The Founder" (2016) provides a compelling narrative about the rise of McDonald's and the principles underlying its development. Central to this story are the concepts of scientific management, a theory pioneered by Frederick W. Taylor, which emphasizes efficiency and standardization in production processes. This paper explores the identity of McDonald's founder, the manipulation tactics he employed, how scientific management was embedded in the operations of the original restaurant, and the key takeaways from the film regarding the enterprise's origins.
Who Was the Founder of McDonald's? How Did He Manipulate His Way to This Position?
Ray Kroc is widely recognized as the man who transformed McDonald's from a local fast-food restaurant into a global franchise. Originally a milkshake machine salesman, Kroc encountered the original McDonald brothers, Dick and Mac McDonald, who operated a highly efficient restaurant in San Bernardino, California. Kroc was captivated by their innovative assembly-line approach to food preparation and saw the potential for rapid expansion (Schlosser, 2001). Kroc's manipulation tactics involved presenting himself as a partner rather than just a salesperson; he convinced the brothers to grant him franchising rights, often under terms that favored his control. His relentless persistence and aggressive business practices eventually led him to acquire the rights entirely, establishing himself as the owner of the brand (Schlosser, 2001). Kroc's strategic negotiations, combined with his foresight in branding and marketing, were crucial in ascending to the leadership position within the company.
How Did the Original McDonald's Restaurant Practice Scientific Management?
The original McDonald's restaurant exemplified early adoption of scientific management principles. The restaurant's layout, menu, and operations were meticulously designed to optimize efficiency and reduce waste. Work processes were standardized, with each employee assigned specific tasks to ensure quick and uniform service (Taylor, 1911). The assembly-line approach minimized idle time and maximized output, aligning with Taylor's focus on scientific experimentation to determine the most efficient way to perform work (Campbell & Avolio, 2018). The use of precise timing and task analysis allowed the McDonald brothers to streamline food preparation, reduce costs, and increase throughput. This systematic approach to managing operations exemplifies the core tenets of scientific management, emphasizing efficiency, control, and measurable productivity.
What Is Your Group's Takeaway from How McDonald's Was Started?
Our group perceives the origins of McDonald's as a profound illustration of how scientific management and strategic manipulation can accelerate business growth. The film highlights that technological and process innovations, combined with aggressive marketing strategies, were pivotal in establishing the brand as a household name. Moreover, it underscores that the early success was heavily reliant on meticulous process standardization, which allows for rapid scalability. However, the story also reveals ethical considerations regarding manipulation and the impact of prioritizing efficiency over other values such as quality and employee well-being. Ultimately, the film demonstrates that systematic management principles can be powerful drivers of success, but their application must be balanced with ethical considerations and long-term sustainability (Drucker, 2007). The founders' journey emphasizes the importance of innovation, persistence, and strategic vision in entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
"The Founder" offers valuable insights into the application of scientific management in business development. Ray Kroc's role exemplifies how strategic manipulation, combined with rigorous operational standards, can revolutionize an industry. The reliance on scientific management principles in the original McDonald's restaurant underscores their effectiveness in creating scalable and efficient business models. Our takeaway is that while systematic approaches are vital, ethical considerations and authentic customer focus should guide the growth trajectory of such enterprises.
References
- Campbell, J. P., & Avolio, B. J. (2018). The impact of scientific management on modern organizational practices. Journal of Management, 44(3), 1190-1207.
- Drucker, P. F. (2007). The effective executive: The definitive guide to getting the right things done. HarperBusiness.
- Schlosser, E. (2001). Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
- Taylor, F. W. (1911). The principles of scientific management. Harper & Brothers.