中国古代“物流”一瞥

A Look into “Logistics" in Chinese Ancient Time

本文认为,中国古代的“物流”含义虽然与今天的物流概念不同,但物的流动确实存在,而且具有相当大的规模,物流的管理世代相传,延续几千年,值得一察。文章从物流需求、物流载体和物流管理等三个方面评介了中国古代的物流活动特征,认为农副产品和经济作物的大范围流动,是古代占主要地位的物流活动;中国古代物流载体首推漕运,仓储也是古代物流的重要载体;中国古代的物流管理主要体现在三个方面:一是市场的管理,政府设官员进行管理,其职责在于保护交易,执行法令,平抑物价。二是运输管理,最典型的例子是历代的漕运管理,具有较高的运输管理水平。三是仓储管理,政府设专门机构和官员管理仓库,其特点是仓储以粮食为主,仓储分储备和消费两种,仓库专业化明显,不同种类的物品分库保管,历代朝廷都设官员对仓库进行专业化管理。

The author puts forward that though the implication of ＂logistics＂ in ancient time is quite different from the implication of it now in China, material flow and the management of it has a long history, and it worth discussing. The author introduces and comments on the characteristics of logistic behaviors in Chinese ancient time in terms of logistic requirements, logistic carriers and logistic management. For example, the author puts forward that the logistic management in Chinese ancient time has three main contents, such as the management of market, transportation and storage.