Final answer:
The question examines the change in work structure and compensation from preindustrial to industrial societies, highlighting the rigid nature of industrial wage labor in contrast to the immediate rewards of preindustrial work. It also touches on the 'McDonaldization' of work, the transition to factory labor from other types of work, and sociological theories regarding work incentives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the nature of work and compensation in different types of societies, specifically contrasting preindustrial and industrial societies with the example of McDonald's representing a modern service industry. One key change from preindustrial to industrial societies is the introduction of regimented wage labor, which involves strict work schedules, pay periods, and often, repetitive tasks with limited worker autonomy. This shift is partly characterized by the 'McDonaldization' phenomenon, which denotes a homogenization of work where roles and tasks are highly prescribed, offering little to no decision-making opportunities for employees. The change from being rewarded immediately for work in a preindustrial society to receiving a weekly or bi-weekly paycheck in an industrial society represents a fundamental change in the relationship between labor and remuneration.
Factory work and the industrial revolution brought about significant changes as well. As factories demanded more routine and segmented tasks, they transformed labor systems. While factory jobs often paid more than agricultural or other forms of non-industrial labor, they also came with different types of risk and a different kind of work environment characterized by close supervision and enforced productivity. Moreover, factory workers faced issues such as low pay and unemployment without a social safety net.
Sociologists like Davis and Moore have theorized that societal systems function by differentiating rewards based on the perceived importance of various types of work, under the assumption that greater rewards lead to increased motivation and productivity.