eBayization
Elif Izberk-Bilgin and Aaron Ahuvia' argue that, while McDonaldization might have been an apt term to capture the reality of a material, Fordist world of consumption that existed a quarter of century ago, it does not well describe contemporary realities. Among the changes are post-Fordist production techniques, more fragmented consumers and consumer tastes, and a growing desire for more individualized products and services. eBayization is proposed as a paradigm for this new World, especially as it relates to consumption. eBayization has three basic dimensions: variety (as opposed to the limited offerings at McDonaldized fast-food restaurants), unpredictability (as opposed to the predictability of McDonaldized systems), and market-mediated control (rather than the Centralized control of a McDonaldized system like McDonald's). eBayization is a very attractive idea, at least as it applies to the Internet and consumption. Since it is likely that consumption (and much else) will occur increasingly on the Internet, there is a strong case to be made for eBayization as the paradigmatic process of our time.