Final answer:
A marketing or distribution channel involves the processes and entities needed to move goods from producers to consumers. Recent advances in technology and the rise of globalization have allowed for greater competition and global connectivity in marketplaces, especially through online business-to-business platforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
A marketing channel or distribution channel is a set of practices or activities necessary to transfer the ownership of goods, and to move goods, from the point of production to the point of consumption. It consists of individuals and firms involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by consumers or industrial users. In recent decades, shifts in technology and globalization have significantly altered these channels.
Improvements in communications technologies, such as the development of the internet, have allowed consumers to order products from anywhere in the world, thereby increasing the competition for many local retail businesses. Additionally, business-to-business websites have emerged, making it easier for buyers and suppliers to connect globally, affecting how markets for business supplies operate. Overall, these changes have affected how markets are defined, leading to increased globalization and integration of markets worldwide.