The progress of globalization and its implication for logistics network in East Asia

초록

A rapid economic development in East Asia, particularly that of China, since the early 1990s, has brought a change in international division of labor in the production processes. This has further deepened the interdependency among countries in the region, one of the consequences of which has been a rapid increase in the demand for container freight and a subsequent change in the distribution pattern. The progress of globalization and the change in logistics network in East Asia have resulted in a new formation of global logistics network. Both external and internal factors have contributed in this process. External factors have been a change in the SCM system of MNCs, a related change in the pattern of competition among firms, and a tendency for a larger size of shipping companies by mergers and strategic alliances. Internal factors have been an acceleration of port development, an enhancement of high quality logistics service, and an extension of inter-modal linking services. The intensification of global logistics system has further led to a re-orientation of the container port structure system. Along with this development, major ports in the region have grown to be hub ports of the world. In short, we have tried in this study to link the economic development and the change in international division of labor with the structural changes in the pattern of production/distribution of MNCs and the changes in international logistics system. This has been carried out by focusing on the East Asian region where the re-orientation of international logistics system has rapidly been reshaping. Finally, it has been speculated that there will be a formation of mega hub ports and a resultant progress in the hub-and spoke network in East Asia, through which the logistics system can be effectively utilized and economic efficiency of logistics network can be improved.