What is logistics management
Logistics management is the process by which managers use certain principles and methods, means, through a series of specific management behaviors and leadership activities, to make all the members work hard to achieve the goals of logistics work.
Logistics management is a form of management, is the general nature of management in the logistics management of a manifestation of the logistics management, due to the logistics sector is for a unit of functional activities to provide material security institutions, its task is to serve the functional activities. Therefore, the task of logistics management lies in the use of a variety of management tools, through the organization, command and coordination of the activities of logistics workers, to create a far greater than the sum of each individual's activities to create a logistical support force, in order to complete the logistics task with high efficiency and high quality, and then to ensure that the unit's functional work is carried out smoothly. Logistics management in a unit of management work, is a very important and often overlooked management activities. In other conditions the same conditions, a unit of logistics work is good or bad, mainly depends on the level of management.
Marxism believes that management has a dual nature, that is, both the natural attributes associated with the productive forces, but also with the productive forces of mutual constraints on the social attributes. Logistics management is closely linked to the progress of science and technology, the level of development of productive forces. Productivity and the level of science and technology directly determines the level of financial and material management in logistics and the quality of personnel, which is the performance of the natural attributes of logistics management. On the other hand, logistics management is a means used by the class possessing the means of production to adjust class relations and safeguard the interests of the class, which has the nature of being linked to the relations of production and has a distinctive class nature in class society. Logistics management under the socialist system is no longer embodied in the relationship between exploitation and the exploited, but reflects the objective requirements of equality and mutual assistance between people, which is the social attributes of logistics management.
We may first examine the explanation of this concept in several famous English dictionaries. Webster's new world college dictionary (Webster's new world college dictionary, 4th edition) explanation: logistics (1) is a sub-discipline of military science, the study of matters such as procurement, storage and transportation of supplies, personnel and facilities; (2) refers to the management of a performance of a specific task. 商务印书馆／美国兰登书屋大学词典(Random House Webster's College Dictionary): logistics used as a singular or plural noun, is a branch of military science, the study of the acquisition, maintenance, and transportation of equipment, supplies, and personnel, i.e., logistics. Cambridge International English Dictionary (CIED): logistics is a plural noun meaning the careful organization (i.e., logistical management) of complex military operations or business activities in order for such operations/activities to be carried out successfully and efficiently.
It can be concluded from the definitions of several well-known dictionaries mentioned above that logistics in English refers to both logistics, logistics management, and logistics science. Logistics represents a series of logistical activities (such as transportation, warehousing, services, information, etc.), logistics management is the management of the actual series of logistical activities. Since logistics is always carried out in an organized and managed manner, logistics and logistics management are but two sides of the same coin. Logistics is a discipline that specializes in the study of logistics or logistics management. Therefore, it can be considered that logistics is a polysemous word. If the domestic logistics industry directly from the United States to introduce "logistics", directly translated as logistics, logistics management, logistics, may not occur today in the understanding of the concept of logistics caused by ambiguity. However, because the domestic logistics industry was the first to accept the Japanese concept of "logistics", logistics and logistics correspond to the custom, and do the redefinition, written into the Chinese national standard. Since then, the word logistics is also less translated into "logistics", but translated into "logistics" (this paper follows the domestic practice, logistics will be translated into logistics). But the domestic standard definition of logistics and the meaning of the English logistlcs are different.
The significance of logistics management
It is important to recognize the duality of logistics management.
The natural attributes of logistics management determines its natural scientific nature, which is something **** with different political and economic systems, and is a part that can be learned from each other. In other words, we should not only summarize and apply our own successful experience in logistics management, but also should learn from foreign experience in a principled way, learn from foreign advanced technology and scientific management methods.
The social attributes of logistics management in turn determine its distinctive class nature. Socialist logistics management should adhere to the direction of socialism, reflecting the requirements of the proletariat, adhere to the implementation of the party's guidelines and policies, and always carry out the purpose of serving the masses of people, which can not be shaken at any time and under any circumstances.
Content of logistics management
From the content point of view, logistics management has a very rich content.
Logistics management, including financial management (financial planning management, budget fund management, extrabudgetary fund management, financial activity analysis and financial supervision), property and material management (fixed asset management, materials and low-value consumables management), capital management (planning management, design management, pre-construction preparations, construction organization and management, completion acceptance and settlement), real estate management and maintenance (real estate), property rights and file management, housing use management, and the management of the property. property rights and records management, housing use management, staff housing allocation management, housing and ancillary equipment maintenance management, economic management), plumbing and electrical management (power supply management, water supply and drainage management, heating management, economic management), catering management (food quality management, catering cost management, nutrition and hygiene management, catering service management, catering economic management), automobile transportation management (vehicle management, service management, safety management, economic management). (vehicle management, service management, safety management, economic management), healthcare management (medical quality management, medical and healthcare economic management), other service management (reception service management, living service management, kindergarten management, etc.) and logistics service management.
Functions of logistics management
Logistics management has two basic functions: both the organization of logistics services according to the law of the unit's functional activities, but also through the management of socialist relations of production, mobilizing people's enthusiasm function. Correct understanding of the service and management of the two aspects of the function, which is a comprehensive understanding of the content of logistics management, adhere to the socialist direction, the implementation of scientific logistics management, logistics services, socialization, has a very important significance.
[Edit Paragraph]Characteristics of Logistics Management
Logistics management, because of its service function in various units, has formed seven aspects of characteristics that distinguish it from other management activities.
(1) Social nature. The characteristics of the social nature of logistics management can be understood from 3 aspects. The first is the content of logistics management. As society may currently provide logistical services can not meet the needs of the units, a period of time organs run logistics, enterprises and institutions run logistics situation can not be completely changed, therefore, the units of the logistics service categories, all inclusive. Second, logistics management and social links. Units of logistics can not be separated from the social supply, whether it is materials, equipment, energy, transportation, or personnel, technology, space, information, are to be provided by the community, the units of logistics to be subjected to social constraints and influences, the community is the units of logistics of the total logistics. Third, the direction of development of logistics management. The logistics services of each unit are developing in the direction of socialization. A greater number, a wider range of logistics services will be gradually with the progress of society by the community to undertake, logistics services socialization sooner or later to be realized. This feature of the social requires logistics managers to pay full attention to and use of various conditions in the community for the unit, while at the same time to be able to create the conditions for social services, change the closed logistics management.
(2) economic. Logistics work is administrative work, and economic work. Logistics service labor belongs to the category of commodity economy. The essence of logistics work is through the market economy and production (labor), exchange, distribution, consumption of four links, the efficient allocation of logistics resources, and economic accounting is an important part of logistics work.
(3) service. Logistics work is service work. From the point of view of its management object, logistics work does not directly reflect the functions of a unit, but the functional activities of the unit to carry out service work. Service is a feature of logistics management, but also the whole meaning of logistics management.
(4) temporal. Functional activities of each unit is a closely organized, strict procedures of the process. For the functional activities of logistics services must also be managed in accordance with the requirements of these procedures. Each service work due to the functional activities of the need for the face of a determined time requirements, which determines the logistics management has a strong temporal characteristics. This is one thing. Secondly, time is also reflected in the "logistics first" aspect. Any activity must have certain material conditions to ensure that certain material conditions as the basis for the premise, logistics is to provide the basis and premise of the work. Third, the time is also manifested in many logistical work by the seasonal impact and constraints, contrary to the requirements of the season, there will be mistakes, resulting in losses.
(5) complexity. Logistics management work is heavy, many tasks, is the main characteristic of complexity. Such as personnel, finance, materials, equipment, infrastructure, housing, food, transportation, medical, health, gardening, environmental protection, family planning, early childhood education and other integrated services, are managed by the logistics department. Strong policy is another characteristic of its complexity. Financial discipline, infrastructure laws and regulations, vehicle configuration principles, salary adjustment and issuance, etc., the logistics management department must be in accordance with the party and the state's established guidelines, policies, decrees, laws and regulations, and must not be done arbitrarily. Involving a wide range of internal and external relations, is the third characteristic of the complexity of logistics management. In the current society, the big "logistics" is not yet perfect, to complete this comprehensive main service, each unit will inevitably form a "big and complete" logistics service system, logistics organizations are huge, complete service projects, the workers' clothing, food, housing, Line, birth, old age, illness, retirement, death and other matters almost all package down. To complete this many services, logistics both with the unit of each employee to deal with, but also with the relevant departments of the community to maintain close contact on a regular basis, not only vertical contact, and horizontal contact, not only involving people, but also involved in the financial, material, time and space.
(6) mass. Logistics management of a large number of work and the masses have a close relationship with the masses, is for the general public services, and the immediate interests of the masses have a close relationship. It must daily accept the supervision and testing of the masses. In order to improve logistics management, must also adhere to the development of democracy, adhere to the mass line, which is relying on the masses, believe the masses, do a good job in logistics management is an important method.
(7) knowledge multidisciplinary. Logistics management needs to have a wide range of knowledge as a basis, in the field of social sciences involved in management, accounting, education, psychology, sociology, law, etc., in the field of natural sciences involved in a wider range of disciplines. In logistics work knowledge multidisciplinary and manifested in a wide range of professional and technical categories, each of them has one or several specialties. This requires logistics managers must have a wide range of knowledge and a variety of professional general knowledge, scientific management, so that the work gradually standardized, standardized, institutionalized, with modern management tools and methods to continuously improve the level of scientific management.
The role of logistics management
The role of logistics management is determined by the basic functions of logistics management, specifically reflected in the following aspects:
(1) to provide reliable material security for functional activities. A unit of functional activities to be carried out normally, the logistics department must be arranged in advance to do a good job of the necessary conditions and facilities, to provide logistical services, which is the material basis for the normal conduct of functional activities. Only by strengthening logistics management, can these basic material conditions be reliably guaranteed. Logistics management to ensure the role of its basic functions, and this role is the basic functions of logistics management, so this role is the basic role of logistics management.
(2) It can improve the utilization rate of people, money and materials, thus promoting the improvement of functional work efficiency. If there is only sufficient material security, but not to scientific organization and management, the efficiency of the work will not be improved. Improve the logistics management, can make people, money, things seem to be the best way to combine, to be fully and effectively utilized, and then mobilize the people's subjective and active role, to "make the best use of talent"; improve the effectiveness of the use of funds, to "make the best use of its financial resources"; give full play to the potential of the materials and equipment, to "make the best use of its resources". To make full use of the potential of materials and equipment to achieve "the best use of things". All these are the necessary conditions for efficient functional work. The role of all management is to improve efficiency, otherwise there is no need for management, in this sense, this role is the main role of logistics management.
(3) It can reflect the Party's care for the masses and the superiority of the socialist system, and promote the enthusiasm of the workers. Logistics work is closely related to the staff's life, involving personal interests, many of the party's policies, the party's care for the masses and the superiority of the socialist system, often through the logistics management work to reflect. Logistics management work well, will certainly make the party's policies in practice, the party's care for the masses in a timely manner to the hearts of the masses, so that the superiority of the socialist system has been more fully embodied, the workers will be more love for the party, love of socialism. Logistics work well, can provide workers with a comfortable living and working environment, to relieve their worries and practical difficulties, workers will love their work more, with great enthusiasm to focus on the work, maximize the enthusiasm of the work, to complete their work.
(4) promote the construction of socialist spiritual civilization. Logistics work is service work, service work is mostly unit "window", good logistics management to hold these "windows", beneficial to the construction of socialist spiritual civilization. Through the logistics "window" of civilized service, courteous treatment of people, to cure people, educate people, cultivate noble ****productivist sentiments; through the logistics "window" of clean and honest, selfless, against corruption, and correct the party style, to strengthen the construction of honesty and integrity; through the logistics "window" to develop the "window" of service work, service work is mostly the unit "window", good logistics management to hold these "windows", is beneficial to the construction of socialist spiritual civilization. Through the logistics "window" to discover the spirit of ****ist collaboration, and brotherly units to unite and help each other. In short, through the logistics "window" role can greatly promote the construction of socialist spiritual civilization.
(5) to stabilize the workforce and order of life. Good logistics management is to stabilize the workforce and order of life, to ensure stability and unity of the important conditions. Improve clothing, food, housing, transportation, birth, old age, illness, retirement and other work, is an important responsibility of the logistics management workers. Logistics management work well, can make the leadership to save heart, the workers are assured that everyone is not worried. As a result, the workforce can be stabilized, the order of life can be stabilized, so as to ensure stability and unity of the situation.
Correct understanding of the role of logistics management can make people correctly treat the logistics management, pay attention to the labor of logistics workers, so that all employees are concerned about the logistics management; at the same time, can guide the logistics workers to correctly understand their own work, set up a correct service mindset for the unit's functional activities to provide more high-quality services.
The domestic standard definition of logistics is: "Logistics refers to the physical flow of goods from the place of supply to the place of acceptance, according to the actual needs of transportation, storage, loading and unloading, handling, packaging, distribution processing, distribution, information processing, and other functions of the organic combination to achieve the process of the user's requirements" ("The People's Republic of China **** and the National Standard - Logistics Terminology"). National Standard - Logistics Terminology").