Mellanhandar

Mellanhandar is the plural form of mellanhand in Swedish, referring to a person or firm that acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. In economic terms, a mellanhand facilitates exchange by providing information, matching demand with supply, negotiating terms, and sometimes offering financing or risk management. By bridging information gaps and reducing transaction costs, middlemen can help markets operate more efficiently, particularly where buyers or sellers face high search costs or limited access to suppliers.

Common types include brokers, agents, wholesalers, and procurement consultants. In real estate, a property broker connects buyers and sellers; in finance, a broker or advisor arranges trades or structures; in trade, a commodity or import-export agent links producers to markets. Digital platforms and marketplaces have redefined some roles, often acting as intermediaries that provide listing, verification, and payment services rather than direct sales.

Regulation varies by country and sector, and ethical considerations include transparency about fees, conflicts of interest, and fair dealing. While mellanhänder can increase market efficiency and broaden access to resources, critics argue that they can raise prices through markups, create dependency, or discourage direct contracting. The use of intermediaries is particularly common in industries with fragmented supply chains, complex regulatory requirements, or high information asymmetry.