Open innovation/integration versus disintermediation/disintegration

Supply chain disintegration is considered, due to its importance as an enabler for the management of technology innovation. This research is urgent as it is relevant to a wide range of other occurrences outside of technology innovation management, including: major policy or regulatory changes, industrial actions, economic sanctions, trade wars, trade realignment – such as Brexit, natural disasters, civil disorder and conflict, and financial crises. Disintegration is the re-alignment of partners and coordination within a supply chain to enhance customer value. This process is driven by one of more of the following: introduction of new technology or input, elimination of existing technology or input, change in customer requirements, and/or change in other external factors. The interdisciplinary nature and intellectual foundations of disintegration are considered. Finally, areas of research need are offered.