Construction of Theoretical Framework of Modern Regional
Logistics Planning
Cui Shiyue
School of Automation, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, China
Keywords: Modern Regional Logistics, Logistics Planning, Theory Construction.
Abstract: Economic development provides supports for development of modern regional logistics. Despite certain
degree of development in regional logistics, a perfect planning theory of modern regional logistics has not
been established in China. The construction of theory framework of modern regional logistics planning has
become an important issue in new period of logistics development, forming unified and comprehensive
logistics theory. Meanwhile, it is also the requirement of changing situation of logistics economic
development and new round of logistics development planning. Focusing on problems of modern regional
logistics, the work analyzed basic theoretical framework of logistics, combined with the existing logistics
management theories.
1 INTRODUCTION
Global economy has been developing in 21st century
with the deepening of economic globalization,
upgrade of competition, cooperation among
countries and regions, as well as expansion of
economic exchanges. Meanwhile, regional logistics
has obtained growth with regional economy.
Distribution costs in economic activity of various
industries can be effectively reduced with good
logistics system, thereby saving unnecessary service
and traffic costs, and enhancing economic efficiency
of entire industry. Therefore, modern regional
logistics industry has become an important support
for regional economic development. Trade between
economies and regions has been expanded with
continuous development of global economic
integration. As the basic unit of global economic
development, the quality of regional development
has a direct impact on the improvement of national
and regional economic level. With the development
of economic integration, the division of labor
between major economic industries has been
increasingly deepening. Links among various
economic agents in the region increasingly depend
on regional logistics system. Thus, regional logistics
has become an important impetus for economic
development. However, traditional regional logistics
theories and structures cannot adapt to the needs of
modern regional logistics with change of times. New
logistics system has been formed and developed
through continual exploration of new economic
situation. Advanced scientific and technological
means are used for most basic control and
management of the entire logistics process, thus
achieving the most efficient production value of the
whole modern logistics chain. This is the
fundamental characteristic of modern regional
logistics.
2 NECESSITY OF
CONSTRUCTING
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
OF MODERN REGIONAL
LOGISTICS PLANNING
2.1 Overview of Modern Theoretical
Construction of Regional Logistics
Modern regional logistics planning is based on
economic activity of an area and correct
understanding of the size and characteristics of
regional logistics, thus establishing a sound regional
logistics system. The development strategy of
regional logistics should be further planned and
constructed with the target of more effective
development of economic activities in the region.
Based on advanced logistics planning theory and
385
Shiyue C.
Construction of Theoretical Framework of Modern Regional Logistics Planning.
DOI: 10.5220/0006026903850388
In Proceedings of the Information Science and Management Engineering III (ISME 2015), pages 385-388
ISBN: 978-989-758-163-2
Copyright
c
2015 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
385
existing planning system, the construction of modern
logistics theory is designed to adapt to the basic
framework of modern regional logistics
development, forming a sound theoretical basis.
Based on traditional regional logistics theory,
modern regional logistics theory was developed
through reasonable application of traditional
materials, transportation channels, transport,
information tools, storage and vehicles. Combined
with basic theories, including modern economy and
logistics development theories as well as regional
economic theory, advanced information technology
and e-commerce are used for perfect combination of
logistics and economy. Thus, more scientific and
reasonable development can be promoted for
regional logistics planning.
2.2 Importance of Modern Regional
Logistics Theory Construction
1) Trend of Economic Development. Chinese
economy has obtained rapid development since the
reform and opening up. Meanwhile, the economy of
other countries keeps moving forward driven by the
technological revolution. The trend of global
economic integration is becoming evident, with the
deepening of cooperation between developed and
developing countries. As the basic unit of global
economic integration, regional development level
has a direct impact on global economy. In recent
years, regional economic cooperation becomes
increasingly common with the development of
globalization. Aimed at maintenance of common
economic interests and achievement of win-win
situation, they have in-depth cooperation in
economic and even political fields. Different
regional cooperation forms are established for
different purposes. For example, the Cooperation
Organization European Coal and Steel was set up for
tariff reduction and elimination of tariff barriers,
promoting mutual development of coal and steel
industries with coordination and common
development. So does European Atomic Energy
Community (EAEC). For better development of
regional economy, problems in current economic
coordinated development including shipping costs
saving, transport investment reduction, improvement
of operating margins and transaction time reduction.
Under this trend, modern logistics has become the
most important area in modern regional economic
integration, which is focused by the whole world.
Countries are busy carrying out studies to maximize
the use of regional logistics planning, striving to be
in the dominant position of regional economic
development.
2) Requirement of Costs Reduction for Inter-
regional Economies. From a macro point of view,
the development of inter-regional logistics economy
is the requirement of regional economic
development in all aspects. The rapid development
of modern regional economy needs support of
improved logistics planning system. The
requirement for regional logistics will be higher with
the faster economic development. Corresponding
logistics industries will continue to improve their
service system under huge interest and pressure. The
reason that regional economy rely on logistics
enterprises to such a large extent is decided by
significant reduction of transportation costs and time
for companies by regional logistics system. With the
development of society and more in-depth division
of work among enterprises, multinational companies
have been rising as an important component of
regional economy. For example, an automobile
manufacturer does not produce all necessary parts,
but import them from other professional enterprises
to obtain more profits. Then perfect regional
logistics system is needed to help enterprises
transport parts with least time, thus reducing
transportation time and cost, and improving
economic benefit of enterprises.
3) Promoting Development of Tertiary Industry. In
recent years, with the optimization and adjustment
of industrial structure in China, tertiary industry
becomes one of the industries greatly supported by
government. Modern logistics industry belongs to
tertiary industry, as an important pillar within the
industry. The development of modern logistics
industry can promote the development of
transportation, catering, wholesale and retail trade,
information industry, etc. Unemployment can be
solved to certain extent, which is conducive to
stabilizing social order and constructing harmonious
society. In addition, other industries driven by
development of logistics industry have increased the
proportion of tertiary industry in the whole industry
structure. Regional industrial structure will be
optimized, contributing to industrial structure
adjustment of entire society form, thus promoting
continuous development of regional economy. Good
regional economic environment provides basis
environment to attract foreign investment. Investors
from developed countries will take convenience of
logistics and transport as an important condition of
investment. Therefore, perfect logistics system has
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significant impact on improvement of investment
environment in the region.
3 BASIC THINKING OF
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
CONSTRUCTION IN MODERN
REGIONAL LOGISTICS
Theoretical framework construction of modern
regional logistics is a complicated process. A
relatively clear thinking is required as a guide to
make the process more effective, reasonable and
smooth. Thus, the basic thinking was analyzed as
follows, including theoretical basis of modern theory
construction, as well as main contents and principles
of regional logistics planning.
3.1 Theoretical Foundation
1) Modern Logistics Theories. Modern logistics
theories began to experience continuous integration
and partial systematization from 1970s, using
advanced information technology to improve their
logistics system. With systematic support of network
in 21st century, modern logistics has been
transformed into reduction of costs and achievement
of maximum profits, achieving sustainable
development of society in the long run. The scale of
modern logistics has also been expanded from
simple transportation logistics to comprehensive
process covering the entire product procurement,
including production, distribution, marketing,
consumption and recycling. Meanwhile, its function
has been transformed from original logistics
transport to logistics creation, struggling to achieve
overall optimization of modern logistics. Modern
logistics system in modern logistics theory is a
product of the times. As a large-scale and complex
system, it is included in the large systems of society.
The goal of modern logistics system is to use
resources on other systems within society, ultimately
achieving its overall goals through mutual influence
and interaction. Currently, domestic and
international researches on logistics theories more
focus on logistics lines. Further study on relations
among diversified network systems with different
levels has a very important role in construction of
multi-level and diversified regional logistics system.
2) Regional Economic Theory. Regional economic
theory includes Non-balanced Development Theory,
Gradient Theory, Growth Pole Theory and
Sustainable Development Theory. Regional
economic theory emphasizes mutual support in
terms of resources, transportation, information, and
funding among regions. The above four economic
theories are theoretical basis of economic activities
in the region's economies, providing important
theoretical support for regional supplies flow. The
major role of goods flow among regions is
emphasized in regional economic theory. Without
material flows, gradient trend of rapid growth will
not appear, not to mention the achievement of social
sustainable development. This is a serious problem
of regional logistics development. Therefore,
regional logistics economic construction should be
carried out under the guidance of regional logistics
theory, promoting regional sustainable development
with positioning analysis on regional logistics
development.
3.2 Basic Principle of Modern Regional
Logistics Planning
1) Satisfying Needs of Regional Economic
Development. Economic development of the region
is the ultimate goal of constructing modern regional
logistics planning theory. The size of regional
logistics market should be reasonably estimated,
thereby providing more appropriate logistics
services. Balance between supply and demand
should be achieved to greatest degree, with mutual
restraint and promotion with economic development
in the region.
2) System Principle. Modern regional logistics
system is a complex and complicated project. Sound
principles are necessary to provide guidance in
overall planning and rational development for full
and successful completion of the whole planning
process. Strength of various departments in logistics
should be fully mobilized, with mutual cooperation
and promotion. Reward and punishment system as
well a promotion system can be implemented in
internal departments, helping to enhance enthusiasm
and initiative of the entire department.
3) Coordinated Planning Principle. Regional
economic development aims at promoting regional
economy. Moreover, it should be coordinated with
development of other aspects, namely economy
should adapt to political and cultural development.
Therefore, coordinated planning principle becomes a
basic implementation principle of regional logistics
development.
4) Use of Existing Logistics Resources. Modern
logistics resources were established on the basis of
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387
traditional logistics resources. After years of
development, logistics industry has formed a
relatively complete system. Resources used in
traditional regional logistics have an important role
in development of modern logistics, including
storage, transport tools, and transportation routes.
Therefore, potential of the region should be fully
explored for logistics development.
3.3 Main Contents of Modern Regional
Logistics Planning
As an important component of modern regional
economy, construction of modern regional logistics
is a complex project. Development status of the
region should be firstly analyzed, fully
understanding logistics needs and development scale
of the entire regional economy. Conclusions will be
drawn after careful research and analysis.
Firstly, cautious attitude should be remained in
construction of modern regional logistics planning.
Operation laws of market should be respected with
scientific analysis on the size of entire logistics
market needs, reasonably analyzing natural and
cultural environment of the entire market. Scientific
outlook on development should be taken as guiding
principle, with the action program of building
environment-friendly society. Without destroying
natural environment, the whole regional logistics
should be reasonably constructed, promoting better
development of regional economy.
Secondly, hardware facilities necessary for
regional logistics development should be improved
under the premise of rational planning theory,
including plant and warehouse. In addition, regional
logistics network, as the perfect combination of
network and logistics, should be established to
improve the efficiency of logistics. Only with
hardware facilities can the value of human and
material resources be fully played.
Finally, logistics personnel should be actively
cultivated. Strong regional logistics economy
requires support of logistics personnel. Therefore,
personnel cultivation has become the focus of
logistics development under the condition of
abundant hardware facilities, which is also an
important aspect in modern economic theory.
Modern regional logistics planning theory is based
on modern logistics. Thus, modern logistics should
be firstly developed for drawing lessons, forming
more convincing modern logistics theory.
4 CONCLUSIONS
Through summaries of various economic and
international logistics theories, China has started the
construction project of modern logistics planning
combined with own experience. Complete planning
thinking is necessary for guidance in complicated
construction of theoretical framework. While some
achievements in modern logistics have been made in
China, there is a big gap compared with developed
countries. Therefore, deficiencies should be
recognized to improve planning theory of Chinese
modern regional logistics with the basic foothold of
modern logistics enterprises, thus promoting
sustainable development of regional economy.
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Liu Binglian. Regional Logistics System Planning
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Li Qi. Theoretical Base and Evaluation System of
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