Firstly, the research status of logistics industry in China is scanned.
As far as the research status of China's logistics industry is concerned, it is not controversial whether the logistics industry belongs to the service industry or the "tertiary industry". Because logistics enterprises provide the market with customer service centered on transportation management and warehousing management; What is provided for enterprises is marketing support with customer service as the core, that is, logistics management service.
However, there are different views on the category of logistics industry itself, that is, what kind of enterprises or types of enterprises belong to logistics enterprises.
1, logistics industry and logistics enterprises
Before investigating the research status of China's logistics industry, it will be very beneficial to briefly investigate the relationship between logistics industry and logistics enterprises. There is no doubt that logistics enterprises together constitute the so-called logistics industry. Because the micro-operation of logistics enterprises and the macro-trend of logistics industry are isomorphic, it provides market basis for the so-called macro-policy adjustment. Therefore, if we want to discuss the development of logistics industry from a macro perspective. In fact, we should first study the development of logistics enterprises from the micro level. In any case, logistics enterprises are the main body of the logistics service market, and the operation of logistics services is the behavior of enterprises. Therefore, the qualitative study of logistics enterprises is the basis to determine whether the logistics industry can exist independently and develop continuously.
In other words, the definition of logistics enterprise is clear. The boundaries of the logistics industry have also been delineated. But to define the boundary of logistics enterprises, we must first define the unique functional activities of logistics enterprises, that is, we must first have a scientific definition of logistics (logistics management) in order to establish a * * * platform for studying problems and developing markets. This problem is discussed in detail in my book On the Study of Logistics Concept (China Logistics and Purchasing, No.2, 2003).
The author's basic point of view is that we should consider directly accepting the definition of logistics management recommended by CLM in the United States. Logistics management is a means of enterprise behavior and customer service. The products of logistics enterprises are logistics management services. The concept of logistics management is constantly developing.
2. Several main viewpoints on the definition of logistics industry.
To sum up, the current understanding of the logistics industry and logistics enterprises is as follows:
(1) Some people think that simple transportation, warehousing and freight forwarding enterprises are not logistics enterprises, because the operation of logistics is management services. Only those third-party logistics enterprises (3PL) that can provide customers with integrated logistics services can be counted as logistics enterprises. Others think that traditional transportation, warehousing and freight forwarding enterprises should be counted as logistics enterprises.
(2) The national standard of Logistics Terminology (200 1) defines logistics enterprises as economic organizations engaged in logistics activities.
(3) Some people think that logistics cannot be counted as an independent industry, and transportation, warehousing, freight forwarding and shipping agency have long existed as independent industries or industries. If logistics is an independent industry, where is its boundary? What are its inputs and outputs? Others believe that the logistics industry belongs to the larger category of commercial circulation industry.
(4) Mr. Wang Ming from the Comprehensive Transportation Research Institute of the State Planning Commission (2002) put forward the concept that the logistics industry is a "composite industry" and thought that the logistics industry is "the integration of enterprises specializing in logistics activities".
The differences between these different understandings are obvious.
3. The family of logistics industry is too big.
Many people's understanding of the logistics industry is based on the definition of logistics in the national standard "Logistics Terminology" issued on April 7, 2000/KLOC-0. The definition is: logistics is "the physical flow process of goods from the place of supply to the place of receipt." According to the actual needs, the basic functions such as transportation, storage, loading and unloading, packaging, circulation, processing, distribution and information processing are organically combined. "
Therefore, in addition to traditional transportation, warehousing, freight forwarding and port enterprises, logistics parks, logistics bases or logistics centers all belong to the logistics industry. We often see that express delivery enterprises belong to logistics enterprises, postal services belong to logistics enterprises, packaging enterprises belong to logistics enterprises, distribution chain enterprises also belong to logistics enterprises, wholesale and retail enterprises should also be transformed into logistics enterprises, and even transportation and communication infrastructure construction belongs to logistics industry. In addition, there are so-called distribution processing industry, logistics distribution industry and logistics information industry. This will inevitably prompt the independence of logistics enterprises and even the logistics industry to be questioned.
Take the packaging industry as an example. At present, there are more than 20,000 packaging enterprises and more than 3 million jobs in China. The whole packaging industry undertakes the packaging task of more than 3 trillion domestic goods and more than 800 billion US dollars of export goods. The output value of packaging industry exceeds 230 billion yuan. How does the packaging industry, which mainly focuses on the manufacturing of packaging materials, serve the logistics industry? In fact, packaging, as a functional activity of logistics service, mainly refers to the protective and convenient packaging during the transportation and storage of goods, as well as the application of related technologies. Such as pallet technology, stacking technology, stowage technology, recyclable hopper technology, container transportation technology and related information application technology.
There is something wrong with the definition of the expression case of the distribution processing industry itself. Is it a circulation industry or a processing industry? As we all know, circulation industry and processing industry belong to service industry and manufacturing industry respectively. Although many manufacturing enterprises have regarded the outsourcing of logistics distribution, customer service and technical support as the most important business competition strategy, many logistics enterprises have provided market and technical support conditions for the outsourcing of non-core business of manufacturing enterprises in the expansion of value-added services, and the boundary between manufacturing enterprises, especially the so-called contract manufacturers and logistics enterprises is blurred, but it is still too early to think that new industrial departments have emerged. If possible, defining it as logistics value-added service industry, or directly defining it as value-added service industry, not only loses the industrial characteristics, but also clarifies the industrial ownership, which should be more conducive to the finalization and development of this logistics service model. Incidentally, if the "distribution and processing" in the national standard of "Logistics Terminology" is changed, "value-added service" may be more appropriate to the content of the term and will not cause misunderstanding.
What does the logistics and distribution industry do? As we all know, distribution service is a way of logistics service. Logistics management includes management of distribution business. Therefore, logistics distribution is very puzzling, just like home appliance color TV, or marketing promotion, or air transportation. According to such terms with chaotic conceptual levels, I am afraid it is difficult to provide strong guidance for the development of distribution service industry, and it is not conducive to the coordination between logistics service operations at the same level. So logistics distribution will not become an independent industry. Logistics is logistics, and distribution is distribution. We can regard logistics service industry as a well-defined distribution service industry to examine the rate of return per unit area. You know, the development of circulation service industry is promising.
It must be pointed out that in the understanding and definition of logistics industry or logistics enterprises, many people have an inappropriate pan-industry understanding of logistics functional activities. The seven functional activities in the definition of logistics seem to be seven industries. In fact, functional activities are separated from the operation system of enterprises, undertaken by independent enterprises, and evolved to the level of industry or industry, which inevitably depends on the progress of technology and the development of socialized division of labor and cooperation system. The so-called industrialization is the process of industrialization. Therefore, as far as the current situation is concerned, among the seven functional activities defined by the logistics industry, transportation, warehousing and (handling) are the existing industrial departments; Distribution and information processing (more precisely, information services) are expected to gain their own independent industrial status in the near future. As for (protective) packaging and distribution processing, it will probably take some time to become an independent industrial form. But the logistics industry is definitely not a simple combination of these industries and functional activities.
Obviously, the scope of the logistics industry will continue to expand with the development of market demand.
Second, the reason analysis
There are at least six reasons for the huge deviation in the definition of logistics industry and logistics enterprises:
1, the logistics service market is still in its infancy.
At present, most of China's logistics management business is self-operated. At the same time, the strength of third-party logistics enterprises is still very weak. According to the joint investigation of China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing and Gome Management Consulting Company on the third-party logistics market in China in early 2002, it was found that the third-party logistics market in China in 2002 was estimated to be around 40 billion RMB, and the market was quite scattered. At present, no 3PL enterprise has a market share of more than 2%, that is, the annual logistics service income is 800 million yuan. At the same time, only about 15% of domestic enterprises outsource logistics services.
It must be pointed out that the theoretical circle has overestimated the scale of China logistics market. To a certain extent, this is misleading to the government's industrial policy and the enterprise's lottery decision. Just like the catering industry's estimation of the market, we can't count ordinary people eating in their own homes as the market size of the catering industry. Even if it is counted as a potential market, it is unreasonable.
2. The structure and way of thinking of the old system
At present, China has the participation and management of the State Economic and Trade Commission, the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Civil Aviation Administration, the post office, and even the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Information Industry and State Taxation Administration of The People's Republic of China, not to mention local governments. Due to the current system, all parties concerned must adopt different perspectives on the understanding and management of the logistics industry, and in many cases they have the background of departmental interests. In addition to the relevant logistics market access thresholds set by different departments, the most typical thing is that freight forwarding enterprises and non-vessel carriers are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Ministry of Communications.
It should be said that during the period of economic system transition, the responses of all parties with vested interests to the expectations of future structure and interest adjustment are reasonable. If this reaction is properly guided, it can produce a new logistics management thinking and form a powerful driving force to promote the development of China's logistics industry.
3. The standard definition of logistics enterprises is too broad.
In fact, the national standard of logistics terminology in China has a special definition of "logistics enterprise". But this definition can not only provide sufficient information for us to understand the characteristics of logistics enterprises, but also make people feel the certainty and arduousness of logistics enterprises. The definition of "economic organizations engaged in logistics activities" given by the standard 12 is logistics enterprises, which undoubtedly puts all enterprise organizations under the banner of logistics industry. The boundary of the logistics industry is inadvertently expanded infinitely.
As we all know, engaging in logistics management activities is an inherent basic function of any enterprise. Even before the concept of logistics appeared, enterprises were engaged in logistics activities. The original management operations, such as freight management and transportation, warehousing and inventory management, are the daily management work of enterprises (the management operation level may be relatively low). The emergence of the concept of logistics management only enables enterprises to re-understand logistics activities from a new perspective of customer service, development strategy and market competition, and organize logistics operations more effectively, thus further reducing costs, improving customer service level and enhancing the competitive advantage of enterprises. No enterprise has ever been classified as transportation or storage because of its fleet and warehouse.
Imagine: Lian Guomin's economic infrastructure-transportation and communication facilities-has been included in the logistics category as "logistics infrastructure", so at least the construction enterprises engaged in warehouse construction will also be included in the logistics category in the near future. According to this way of understanding, metal processing enterprises that manufacture computer cases and plastic processing enterprises that manufacture plastic casings of displays should also be included in the information technology industry. Although this is impossible, the existing definition of logistics enterprise leaves too much room for association.
4. The opinions of the six ministries have a wide influence.
In the Opinions on Accelerating China's Logistics Development issued by the State Economic and Trade Commission and other six ministries and commissions in March, 20001year, modern logistics generally refers to the whole process of raw materials and finished products from the starting point to the weak link and the related effective flow. It organically combines transportation, warehousing, loading and unloading, processing, sorting, distribution and information to form a complete supply chain and provide users with multifunctional and integrated comprehensive services. The influence of this opinion is extensive. Mr. Ding Junfa, executive vice president of China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, listed * * as the first of "the most influential logistics policy documents since the reform and opening up" in the book "China Logistics".
5. "Logistics distribution" belongs to "wholesale and retail trade"
In the Catalogue of Industries Directed by Foreign Investment published in March 2002, the state classified "logistics distribution" and "agency companies (shipping, freight forwarding, ocean shipping agency, advertising, etc.). ) "At least in the name of temporary storage and retail trade. Some high-level speeches or themes with the theme of "developing modern circulation industry" are actually talking about developing "modern logistics industry", or vice versa. Therefore, the combination of logistics and modern circulation is a trend. This provides an indirect basis for saying that the logistics industry belongs to trade circulation industry or modern logistics industry.
6, the influence of the original industrial classification structure
The third-level circulation departments of the former tertiary industry in China include transportation, post and telecommunications, commercial catering, material consignment and warehousing. Among them, at least transportation, material consignment and storage are directly related to the logistics industry.
Obviously, an all-encompassing industry is definitely not an independent industry.
Third, the "establishment" of the logistics industry
First of all, it should be clear whether the logistics industry can be regarded as an independent industry, whether it has been recognized by the official system-whether it has been included in the national economic industry classification catalogue, whether it has been included in the college enrollment professional catalogue, and whether it has been included in the national economic statistical sequence. -They are two completely different questions.
It should be said that whether the logistics industry can be regarded as an independent industry is a pseudo-problem. Because logistics service enterprises already exist objectively. More and more manufacturing, wholesale and retail enterprises are willing to outsource non-core logistics business in order to reduce the total cost of logistics services, improve customer service level and gain market competitive advantage. The role of logistics management in macro (contribution to GDP) and micro-economy has been widely recognized by all walks of life. The logistics industry already exists objectively.
In fact, the essence of this question is to ask why the logistics industry has also included oil in the national economic industry classification catalogue. This is a typical problem that emerging industries will inevitably require better and faster development under the government-led economic system.
Secondly, we can't ignore the objective existence of China's logistics industry because there is still a big gap between the management ability and service level of existing logistics enterprises and the international leading level, because logistics service operations are scattered in different administrative departments within the framework of China's existing economic system, because China's logistics service market is still seriously fragmented, and because the scale of China's third-party logistics is still small. In fact, with the acceleration of the marketization of China's economic system and the development of the division of labor and cooperation system, it is inevitable to readjust the original industrial classification.
As for how the government classifies the macro-industrial structure and whether it classifies the logistics industry at this stage, that is a matter for the government. On the contrary, the role of logistics management industry association is very important to the development of logistics industry.
Under the condition of market economy, trade association is an effective channel for enterprises to communicate with the government. From the perspective of serving logistics enterprises, this is also a kind of third-party service. Of course, it is also our duty and responsibility to support the work of trade associations, improve their market position and enhance their communication and discourse power.
2. Don't rush for success in your career.
Have we neglected some basic reasons because we are eager to establish the position of the logistics industry government in the macroeconomic management system?
As we all know, the adjustment of industrial classification certainly lags behind the development of the industry itself. With the development of social economy and technology, some old industries disappeared and some new industries appeared.
For example, the United States 200 1 began to implement] The North American industrial classification system has added new industries such as optical cable manufacturing, cellular communication, computer software replication, environmental consulting, bed breakfast hotels, storage clubs, credit card insurance, etc. There is no doubt that some emerging industries must belong to or be included in the old industries or industries before they can be included in the independent classification catalogue.
Considering the background of China's accession to the WTO, the classification of national economic sectors officially implemented in June 2002 (65438+ 10/) has added a large number of categories of service industry economic activities. Such as telecommunications and other information transmission services, computer services and software, accommodation and catering, leasing and business services. Manufacturing decreased by 26 categories. Cancel the category of postal communication industry, merge postal industry into social service industry, and merge the rest into information technology industry. Urban public transportation is classified as a means of transportation. Newly established "waste resources and waste materials recycling and processing industry", "transportation agency service", "mobile communication service", "foot massage and foot bath service" and so on. Obviously, these new industries appeared before they were included in the National Economic Industry Classification.
For another example, in April of 20001year, the "Guidelines for Industry Classification of Listed Companies" promulgated by the CSRC is different from the old national economic industry classification and code issued by the National Bureau of Statistics. The guide adds "information technology industry" and "communication and cultural industry", but it shows the so-called "high-tech industry". According to the situation that listed companies are mainly manufacturing enterprises, the guidelines also add nine auxiliary classifications between manufacturing categories and major categories. Regarding the industry ownership of enterprises, the Guidelines stipulate that if the business income of a company is greater than or equal to 50%, the company will be classified into the corresponding industry category; If a company does not have 50% or more business income, but the business income ratio of one business is 30% higher than that of other businesses, the company is classified into the corresponding industry category; Otherwise, it is classified as comprehensive. It can be seen that the industry attributes of enterprises will gradually change qualitatively according to the quantitative change of their business categories.
In fact, no industry has ever been designed, built and developed according to the existing industrial classification catalogue. Even the concept of emerging industries introduced from developed countries can't really develop before the domestic economic and environmental conditions are met. Statistics containing "bubbles" cannot make new industries firmly take root in the real economy system.
As long as there is new market demand, new industries or trades will emerge as the times require. As for the scale of the new market, it depends on the ability of enterprises to expand the market. Therefore, the survival and development of logistics enterprises is the fundamental way out for the development of logistics industry.
3. The root of "establishing a career" lies in the market.
There is no doubt that the fundamental of industrial development lies in the market. The sharpening industry and the pen repairing industry are gone because the market on which they depend for survival and development is gone. The rapid development of third-party logistics enterprises is due to the increasing market demand for outsourcing logistics management and operation. As more and more enterprises want to outsource the application services of IT systems, even offshore, the IT outsourcing service industry has developed rapidly.
The service of logistics enterprises determines that they must cultivate and expand the logistics service market by continuously improving the service level. Therefore, for many traditional storage and transportation and freight forwarding enterprises, it is imperative to improve the capabilities and comprehensive management capabilities of warehousing management services (non-warehousing operations) and transportation management services (non-transportation operations) as soon as possible, and gradually extend services on this basis and gradually form a strategic alliance with shippers. Doing a good job in basic transportation management, warehousing management and intermediary service management is the most fundamental way for logistics enterprises to evolve from primary form to advanced form.
When the market demand for logistics management services is increasing, and some enterprises can meet this changing demand, the development of logistics industry will gain lasting impetus.
Of course, in order to accelerate the development of logistics service market and the formation of logistics industrial structure system, it is not only necessary but also urgent to define logistics industry scientifically.
Fourth, the definition of logistics industry
1, several basic concepts related to the definition of logistics industry
It is necessary to review three related concepts: industry, enterprise, industry or trade.
(1) According to Xinhua Dictionary, industry has two concepts: one is "old private property" (referring to real estate such as heaven and earth, houses and enterprises); Second, "refers to all industries and departments engaged in material products", including industry, energy, transportation and communication. "
Trade has two concepts: one refers to "industry"; Second, it refers to the division of labor of drama actors. According to Shanghai Dictionary Publishing House 1979 edition of Ci Hai, industry refers to the category of occupation.
The concept of enterprise refers to "a legal entity engaged in production, purchase and sale, transportation and service activities, such as companies, factories, farms, mines, shops, etc."
So strictly speaking, industry is used to say "things" and "things". Industry is used to describe the industrial attributes of "people". Enterprise is used to say that "people" and "things" combine to form an organization with legal person nature.
(2) In English, the concepts of industry and industry can be expressed by "industry". industry emphasizes that organizing human resources to engage in the production and sales of goods and services is a "thing". But you can also use the word "business" to mean "industry". At this time, the emphasis is on a person's "occupation", which is consistent with the concept of China people. In fact, logistics management, like enterprise management, is no problem as a profession.
If "legal person" is used to represent the concept of enterprise, it emphasizes the combination of "organization" and its legal person system. If "enterprise" is used, it emphasizes the planning and risk of enterprise organization activities.
Obviously, no matter at home or abroad, enterprises are defined as the interactive interface between "people" and "things", which is the basic platform for people to engage in production and sales activities.
2. Understand the logistics industry
In English literature, the word corresponding to logistics industry or logistics industry is Lohistics industry, but there is no clear definition of Lohistics industry so far.
The Dictionary of Transportation and Logistics edited by David Lowe(2002) has only one entry "logistics supplier". The explanation of this entry is: "the trade term of road operators and third-party distribution or logistics companies that provide logistics services to manufacturers, retailers and other goods suppliers." It can be inferred that logistics still exists, and its basic components are transportation services and third-party logistics enterprises.
Hunt Valley Executive Resources Company gave a clear explanation of the logistics industry according to its own professional expertise. The company believes that the logistics industry is "transportation, logistics and supply chain system services". This is basically the positioning of integrated logistics service providers.
On the website of Menlo Worldwide Logistics, a famous third-party logistics company, there is a special knowledge introduction column "Logistics", but its contents include: What is logistics? What is the third party logistics? The general situation of logistics industry, the support and educational background requirements of logistics professional managers, the new market requirements of logistics services and the future prospects of third-party logistics. In the summary of logistics, the knowledge provided by Monroe Global Logistics includes the scale of logistics market, that is, the scale and structure of logistics expenditure in the United States and the world that we often quote; The scale and structure of third-party logistics in the United States, and the results of investigation and analysis based on the attitude towards enterprise logistics outsourcing. Obviously, the company provides readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the logistics industry framework. It also shows that the company understands the logistics industry from two aspects: the position and role of the logistics industry in the national economy and the position and role of logistics operation in the market competition of enterprises.
Although we don't know the exact definition of the logistics industry, to sum up, we can get five inspirations:
(1) The two concepts of logistics industry or logistics industry are universal. In practice, it is usually called the logistics industry.
(2) To carry out research or define the category of logistics industry, it must be carried out on the basic platform of logistics enterprises as the main body of the market. In other words, the study of logistics enterprises is the study of logistics industry. When the scope of logistics enterprises is defined, the scope of logistics industry is also determined.
(3) Logistics management is a challenging occupation.
(4) If the enterprise integration that provides logistics management is regarded as the logistics industry or logistics service industry, it is generally not wrong.
(5) The formation and development of the logistics industry, like the so-called road, originally did not exist. If there are more people leaving, there will be. Which emerging market does not develop like this?
3. Definition of logistics industry and logistics enterprise.
According to the definition of industry classification of national economy: "an industry (intermediate industry) refers to the collection of all units engaged in economic activities of the same nature", and then according to the general structural rules defined by industry classification, for example, downstairs transportation refers to the social production department engaged in the transportation of goods and passengers in the national economy; Manufacturing or processing industry refers to the general name of industrial departments that process raw materials or semi-finished products produced by agriculture and extractive industries. We can define the logistics industry as:
Logistics industry, that is, enterprise logistics service industry, refers to all service units engaged in production and marketing service guarantee.
At the same time, we can define the supplier logistics enterprise as:
Enterprises specializing in providing logistics management services for the market. The integration of such enterprises is the logistics industry or logistics industry.
The product-centered logistics service system will be the most remarkable structural feature of the logistics industry. Customer-centered logistics service mode will be the most remarkable operation feature of logistics industry, and logistics service operation centered on reducing total logistics cost will be the most remarkable feature of logistics industry.
It can be seen that enterprises that can provide customers with phased or full logistics management services, integrated logistics management solutions, transportation management services or warehousing management services are all logistics enterprises. Including those enterprises with or without tangible storage and transportation assets (capabilities); Transportation and storage enterprises with logistics management services, enterprises specializing in integrated marketing of multimodal transport; Consulting enterprises specializing in logistics solution design; Enterprises specializing in logistics information support and management services. ]
Logistics enterprises are strictly third-party logistics providers, including those enterprises that appear in the name of so-called fourth-party logistics and belong to the category of "leading logistics service providers" among third-party logistics enterprises. That is, those logistics service providers who have established partnership, strategic alliance or contract outsourcing relationship with customer enterprises at some level.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) Prospect of the future structure system of logistics industry
It can be predicted that under the impetus of economic globalization, when the logistics service market matures, logistics management services will gain an independent industrial position in the market system and gradually be subdivided into different logistics industry systems.
This system will include: food logistics service industry, including refrigerated food logistics industry, fresh food logistics industry, packaged food logistics industry and so on; Automobile logistics service industry, including retail parts supply logistics industry, vehicle distribution logistics industry and so on. Chemical logistics service industry is divided into liquid chemical product logistics industry and gas chemical product logistics industry; Petroleum product logistics service industry is divided into crude oil logistics industry and refined oil logistics industry; Steel logistics service industry; Mineral logistics service industry; Dangerous goods logistics service industry; Equipment logistics service industry; Pharmaceutical logistics service industry, IT logistics service industry; Clothing logistics service industry; Grain supply logistics service industry; Flower logistics service industry; Abandoned resource logistics service industry; Logistics information service industry; Logistics equipment service industry. Logistics consulting service industry and so on.
It can also be predicted that the existing transportation industry, warehousing industry and related logistics services will all belong to the logistics industry, and will gradually be integrated into the logistics management service system centered on product logistics, and exist as logistics service resources in a specific industrial chain or value chain.
It can also be predicted that the independent "logistics service industry" or "logistics management industry" should be listed in the catalogue when the country revises the National Economic Industry Classification next time.
However, all this depends on the continuous innovation of logistics management services of logistics enterprises. It also depends on the policy environment created by the government to open the market and encourage competition.
Reading Journey to the West, you will never forget the scene when the Monkey King jumped out of th