Changing Distribution Structures - On the Role of Intermediaries
Book chapter, 2015
Distribution systems for industrial goods are changing structure. Important reasons are development of information technology and transportation systems. New conditions provide strategic opportunities for manufacturers and end-users, as well as new forms of intermediaries making use of technological development for functional specialization. These changes will mean a severe challenge for the strategic role of industrial distributors.The paper adresses these questions by analysing the role of intermediaries in a historical perspective. Based on this analysis present conditions and possible future developments are discussed.
Distribution Structure
Industrial Good
Flexible Manufacturing System
Harvard Business Review
Distribution System
Author
Lars-Erik Gadde
Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Industrial Marketing
Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science
23636165 (ISSN) 23636173 (eISSN)
284-293Subject Categories
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified
History of Technology
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-17311-5_43