Year 11 Major Project Computer-Based Systems in context... 1) Describe the position of the context area in society on both a local and a global scale. McDonalds Family Restaurants is the the worlds largest fast-food chain. It is renowned for it�s fast efficient and friendly service (you can tell I work there). McDonalds is perfect for the hurried business man picking up a quick, cholestorol ridden snack before work, for the worn-out mother who hasn�t had time to cook or for the little 5 year old who has an abnormal fascination with Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar and wishes to party hard at his nearest McDonalds until the late hours of the afternoon on his sixth birthday. The Golden Archers logo is recognised by more people around the world than the christian crucifix. A board governs the promotions, prices and integrity of each store and liases with the international board, the head office of Australia is stationed in Thornleigh and each store has it�s own representative. 2) Discuss the importance of the context area in society on both a local and a global scale. As McDonalds is an internationally recognised company, it�s franchise is expensive and costs a lot to maintain. On a very local level, McDonalds provides funds for and assists charities and charitable events such as the Red Shield Appeal. McDonalds has always been an official sponsor of the Olympics and the Paralympics. McDonalds provides scholarships for outstanding athletes amongst it�s employees. This contributes to a higher standard of education and athletic ability even though it goes very unnoticed. There is now not one major city in the world where a McDonalds is more than 10km drive away in the central suburbs and 25km in the outer suburbs. It�s international recognition has given this corporation the ability to give recognition to smaller organisations or events. This support in these areas has earnt it the esteem it now possesses. Despite the bad press about it�s food quality, being an employee, I can vouch for the fact that all equipment and product is maintained perfectly and cleaned often. McDonalds food can be cooked to order, chicken and fish steamed, �hold the lettuce�, etc... It�s impact on commercialism and world markets is profound and it�s willingness to support charities shoud earn it an accolade that it deserves. 3) Describe the major functions carried out within the context area. All McDonalds employees are taught the importance and the maintenance of TCS (Total Customer Satisfaction). Fresh and good quality product is an aim of every McDonalds store and the maintenance of this means the sacrifice of normally good quality product. McDonalds aims to provide for every dietary requirement with the provision of a wide range of meats and drinks and the ability to order burgers with extra or without certain toppings. Great care is taken over employees welfare with policies such as non-fraternistaion in place. 4) Describe in general terms the technology used within the context area. As McDonalds is a �face-to-face� sales business, the use of technology extends little beyond the tills and clocking computers. The only external link is the Westpac bank for wages paid to employees. The tills calculate prices based upon those which are pre-stored and do not allow the charging of cash prices by employees to customers. Orders are all placed by facsimile and telephone and not by modem. The only calculations required to be made by computers and electronics are cooking timers, prices, taxing and wages. 5) Discuss the role played by the technology in the context area. The role of computer technology in Macdonalds is minimal and extends no further than minimal communication and calculation. However, industrial technology plays a heavy role in the development of this fast-food chain. New grills, vats, fry rackers and other associated technolgy is being integrated into the working environment. Any other technology does not apply to this context area. 6) Evaluate the changes brought about in the context area by the use of technology. Again, the technological impact is minimal in this context area, though rosters and payslips have become computerised. The computer technology remains static as the systems in place are far more advanced than necessary. The only change to the working environment is for the managers, making their job easier. 7) Describe any developments iin technology brought about about by the needs of the context area. As mentioned above, the technology in place is far more advanced than currently necessary and therefore this question does not apply to this context area. 8) Assess the way the context area deals with issues such as: a) Privacy Each Macdonalds employee has their own unique clock-on name, protecting the fraud of wages. It is an international policy that the only information on employees retrievable by other employees (managers excluded) is name and telephone number, and the only information retrievable by customers is their names. A crew-room is provided for changing into uniforms one seperate for males and females. b) The nature of work Each employee is trained for 9 hours and and assisted for 11 before given full shifts and the progression up the �CHAIN-OF-COMMAND� is monitored by managers. When perfect efficiency is attined in area such as, service, shakes and beverages, fries, robbery, fire and safety procedures etc. they can request to be tested, if they receive 100% twice, they are awarded an SOC. This allows the managers to effectively delegate authority and jobs. c) Copyright McDonalds, McD and the Golden Archers logo are all international copyrights and because the world of restaurants can never be monopolised due to cultural preferences, it is hard for MacDonalds to maintain their position as fast-food Giants and competition with chains such as Hungry Jacks is determined by consumer demand. d) Ethics Swearing is discouraged and disallowed in front of customers and a policy regarding ethics in place. Managers are discouraged from dating employees for fear of favouritism or unfair treatment (non-fraternisation policy). Infringement of these policies can result in warnings, fines or instant termination e) Computer crime Computer crime is not an issue at McDonalds. 9) Assess the ways in which the following issues have been affected by the use of technology within the context area. Power, control, equity and environment have not been affected by the use of technology within this context area. 10)