Final answer:
Disintermediation is true and corresponds to the reduction or elimination of traditional retailers or service providers from a supply chain, largely influenced by advancements in technology and global connectivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. Disintermediation refers to the phenomenon where traditional retailers or service providers are reduced or eliminated in a supply chain. This trend has been driven by significant shifts in technology and globalization over recent decades. With the advent of the Internet and advancements in communications technologies, consumers and businesses now have the capacity to engage in transactions directly, bypassing traditional intermediaries.
In the context of retail, a consumer can easily purchase products such as books or pet supplies online from various parts of the country or the world. This expanded accessibility increases competition for local retail businesses, which may not be able to compete with the convenience and variety offered by online platforms. Similarly, in the B2B sector, business-to-business websites enable direct interaction between buyers and suppliers globally, further diminishing the role of traditional middlemen.