Final answer:
The term describing the movement of materials and finished goods globally is 'global logistics.' This encompasses transportation modes like cargo ships and is integral to the global economy and trade balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe all functions concerned with the movement of materials and finished goods on a global scale is global logistics. This includes transportation via cargo ships, as depicted in Figure 1.9, where such ships are a key mode of transport in the global economy.
The broader concept of these activities falls under globalization, which captures the idea that business activities and governmental actions are being conducted worldwide, touching on aspects of production, distribution, and consumption. Global logistics is essential for maintaining the balance of trade, previously measured by tracking physical items that planes, trains, and trucks transported between countries.