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Physical distribution, logistics, supply chain management, and the material flow theory: a historical perspective

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Abstract

The evolution from physical distribution to logistics, and then to supply chain management has invoked many interesting studies in recent years. By applying the material flow theory that expands attributes of logistics to coordination of environment, economy, and society, this paper examines the evolution from a unique perspective: sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary review of the evolution of physical distribution, logistics, supply chain management, and their new stage-material flow theory. The paper aims at tracing how concepts and findings in physical distribution, logistics, supply chain management, and material flow have been developed and extended continually. The results show that the requirements for material flow services vary with the economic development level in different countries and that material flow service is required to be compatible with a country’s development stage. The paper concludes that the MF theory is the option for dealing with the overwhelming complexity of material flow systems in the global economy of the twenty-first century.

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Notes

  1. For instance, the “About Systematization of Distribution Activity” published by Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry in the sixties of last century; the “Road towards Logistics Systematization” published by the Ministry of Transport in the 1970s; the “Outline of Comprehensive Logistics Administration” formulated by the Japanese government in the 1990s, etc. In July, 2001, Japan’s Parliament also passed the “New Outline of Comprehensive Logistics Administration”, furthermore strengthening the “logistics system” concept, emphasizing the strengthening of the construction of high-efficiency logistics infrastructure, highlighting the strengthening of environmental protection and the construction of a circulation-type society, paying close attention to constructing a logistics system favorable to national life, etc.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71132008), the Planning Fund Program for Social Science in China, Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 10YJA630059), National Key Technology Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. B13B300061), and the Program of Institute for Industrial Security in China (Grant No. B13L00050).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academy of Material Flow, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China

    Hanping Hou

  2. Villanova School of Business, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA

    Sohail Chaudhry & Yong Chen

  3. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    Sohail Chaudhry & Yong Chen

  4. School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China

    Mingyao Hu

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  1. Hanping Hou
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Correspondence to Hanping Hou.

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Hou, H., Chaudhry, S., Chen, Y. et al. Physical distribution, logistics, supply chain management, and the material flow theory: a historical perspective. Inf Technol Manag 18, 107–117 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10799-015-0229-1

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