Organizing a network within the network: The case of MC Elettrici

In recent years, new driving forces are significantly affecting intermediation and emphasizing the centrality of its role. From a traditional role of physical interconnection, intermediation has taken on a critical new function – first of all by supporting interaction and facilitating customer participation within a network, and then by creating the conditions for enhancing relationships between different organizations. We have empirically investigated this evolution by looking at the case of an Italian electrical equipment consortium that revised its intermediation role to better support actors involved in its distribution network and to allow the survival of its partners, which are primarily local SMEs. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of the intermediation evolutionary process on the distribution network by focusing on the organizing of actors, resources, and activities in a “network within the network” perspective.