Question

The Lee family owned a local bakery for four generations in a small town in Colorado. In recent years, a large grocery store chain has expanded its bakery offerings, and a big-box store, which also offers many baked goods, has opened a new store on the other side of town. The Lee family has seen such a decrease in business that they have decided to close their business. What phenomenon does this describe?

a) The McDonaldization of society
b) Total institution
c) Iron Rule of Oligarchy
d) Coercive organizations

Answer 1

The decline of the Lee family's local bakery due to competition from larger chains represents the McDonaldization of society, which brings standardization and efficiency at the cost of local uniqueness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phenomenon described by the situation of the Lee family's local bakery closing in response to competition from larger chain stores is best characterized as the McDonaldization of society. This concept refers to the trend where the efficient, predictable, calculable, and controlled business model, commonly associated with fast-food chains like McDonald's, increasingly dominates other parts of society, including local businesses. Consequently, it leads to uniformity and the decline of local, unique establishments like the Lee family bakery due to the expansion of chain stores that standardize their offerings