Disintermediation
The removal of intermediaries from a supply chain or transaction, connecting producers directly with consumers. Often enabled by technology that reduces transaction costs.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"...atform Intermediary | Connects producers/consumers, captures transaction fees | Shopify, Uber, Etsy | 2-5% take rates, volume-dependent, must avoid disintermediation | | Application/Service** | Delivers end-user value, builds on platforms | Spotify, Slack, Zoom, SaaS tools | High competition, dependent on platfo..."
"...y For each boundary segment, count: - Competitor moves toward your territory per year - Customer defections to alternatives - Channel conflicts or disintermediation attempts - New entrants testing boundaries Intrusion rate = Total intrusions / Total boundary segments Step 4: Calculate Defense Costs** For..."
Biological Context
Direct symbioses represent biological disintermediation. Mycorrhizal networks connect trees directly, bypassing the slower process of nutrients cycling through soil. Endosymbiosis brought mitochondria inside cells, eliminating the 'middleman' of external energy exchange.
Business Application
The internet enabled massive disintermediation: direct-to-consumer brands, peer-to-peer lending, online education. However, new intermediaries often emerge (platforms) that provide different value. Disintermediation shifts power and margins within value chains.