Fordism at Work in Canadian Coffee Shops

Abstract

Although many areas of work today are characterizedby post-Fordistprinciples, there are still significant numbers ofworkplaces that have adaptedand continue to operate using a Fordist model, andin particular, low-payingservice industries that rely on a largely female and part-time labour force. Thispaper explores how the Fordist model has been adapted and extended within theCanadian coffee shop franchise industry. Qualitative interviews were conductedwith staff and managers in selected coffee shops togain a better understandingof how work is organized and managed in this industry.