ABSTRACT
The following case contains background on the development of poverty as a strategic concern of multinational corporations, as well as a historical perspective on McDonald’s Corporation. The main case then explores in detail McDonald’s corporate culture and its emphasis on promotion from within. It then provides a relatively brief overview of two particular experiences in this culture: Darlene Calhoun’s rise to responsibility and success from her position as a night shift cashier, and Jan Fields’ choice to take a part-time position at McDonald’s, which was the first step en route to her role as Chief Operations Officer for McDonald’s USA. Appendices A and B include far more detailed case studies on both Calhoun and Fields for those who seek additional information or who prefer to read and/or teach these cases on a stand-alone basis.
