Outline

Overview

This unit provides students with an understanding of global distribution strategy and the management of international freight, including express, freight forwarding, rail, trucking, air freight and ocean shipping. The unit covers underlying supply chain drivers of international trade flows and the demand for capacity in different distribution channels and freight transportation modes, as well as industry structure, institutional environment, customs and global market participation strategies. Building on this background, the unit equips students with strategic tools for profitable international logistics operations. The unit focuses on corporate strategies around fleet and network planning, entrepreneurship, business model and value chain analysis, revenue and cost management, as well as competitive strategy and negotiation in the B2B and B2C contexts. The material covered in the unit considers recent developments in global and regional economic activity, technological and environmental advancements and discusses implications for the various sectors and stakeholders in global distribution chains. This unit involves case studies, industry presentations and analysis from the perspectives of shippers, airlines, wholesalers, retailers, end customers, regulatory bodies and investors.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	ITLS6201
Academic unit	Transport and Logistics Studies
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	ITLS6101 or TPTM6440
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	ITLS5020 or ITLS5000 or ITLS5250 or TPTM5001
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rico Merkert, rico.merkert@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Individual report n/a	45%	Week 06 Due date: 31 Mar 2022 at 18:00 Closing date: 01 Apr 2022	4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group case presentation Assignment	15%	Week 08 Due date: 12 Apr 2022 at 18:00 Closing date: 12 Apr 2022	9 slides per group
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Global Supply Chains presentation Slides and oral presentation of each student (individual and group marks)	40%	Week 12 Due date: 19 May 2022 at 17:55 Closing date: 19 May 2022	20-30 minutes per group
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

GSC group presentation: In the group supply chain design exercise, students will be divided into groups and each group will be assigned a product for which they will design a supply chain strategy. Each student will be required to present for 5 minutes. The presentation should be 6 slides each + 2 slides group summary. Each group will be required to make well-founded decisions on mode of transport, storage arrangements, the locations for activities, as well as on whether and if so how to outsource logistics.

Individual report: Students will prepare a report related to international trade, regulation of the air cargo or shipping business, fleet planning, network management, revenue management, cost management, or some other aspect of the global distribution business. Students can choose from two possible topics to be provided by the lecturer (during the first class).

Group case presentation: 9 slides per group. Students will discuss and present in groups a case related to the global freight and logistics business. They will provide their views on questions such as: What went wrong in that particular case, what went well and what can be improved. They will also have to discuss the potential limitations of the case and as to whether the case realistically reflects what happens in practice.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or waive late penalties only if expressly stated below.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	S1. Introduction: the world economy, freight requirements, modal options, global value chains, players and their assets, distribution channels and business models; S2. Strategic Management and global distribution	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	S3. Strategic investment analysis in logistics infrastructure and understanding the drivers of demand for freight transportation capacity; S4. Trade as a strategic opportunity from a business perspective	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	S5. Forecasting trade flows and the business cycle; S6. Designing global supply chains (introduce the projects)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	S7. Access and regulatory challenges and global market participation strategies; S8. Industry structure and performance of the air cargo business	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	S9. Trade finance and documentation; S10. Insurance and hedging	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	S11. Intermodal (container) supply chains and markets; S12. Bulk supply chains, energy trades and markets	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	S13. Routing and scheduling in logistics; S14. Hub location in logistics	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	S15. Global freight forwarder/integrator case S16. Green distribution and logistics	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	S17. Automation, industry 4.0 and IoT in logistics; S18. Risk mitigation in global supply chains	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	S19. Standards, tracking and tracing and e-freight; S20. Visibility and IT in Freight Forwarding (case/simulation)	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	S21&22. Global supply chain design/strategy presentations	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	S23. Revision	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Please note that at this stage we plan to have most of this unit delivered online (zoom live sessions). We are hopeful that the final weeks will be face-to-face sessions on campus and in parallel also zoom sessions for those students who are unable to physically join us.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no required textbook but the recommended readings for this unit are:

Merkert R, Van de Voorde E, and de Wit J (2017) Making or breaking - Key success factors in the air cargo market Journal of Air Transport Management, 61, 1-5. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969699717300455

Tsai, M.-C., Merkert, R. and Wang, J.-F. (2020). What drives freight transportation customer loyalty? - Diverging marketing approaches for the air freight express industry, Transportation, 48, 1503–1521, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-020-10104-0

Harrison, A., Van Hoek, R., Skipworth, H. and Aitken, J. (2019). Logistics Management and Strategy: Competing through the Supply Chain, 6th Edition, Pearson.

Stopford M. (2009): Maritime Economics, 3rd ed., Routledge.

UNCTAD (2020): Review of Maritime Transport 2021, available at: https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2021_en_0.pdf

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Analyse the complexities of the global distribution and international freight business (aviation, shipping, and intermodal) and explain the factors that impact most on the workings of the industry
LO2. Apply theoretical concepts of strategic management to the core issues faced by global supply and distribution chains (challenges but also opportunities for growth and innovation)
LO3. Critically analyse links between strategic, tactical, and operational perspectives in problem-solving and decision making in internationally operating logistics and transport businesses
LO4. Identify key elemental differences in international freight business models and distribution channels using appropriate analytical tools. Successfully employ datasets to make informed choices related to these different transportation providers
LO5. Demonstrate acquired communication and vital team working skills through class presentations and a global supply chain design group exercise

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Minor amendment to group case presentations and session 20

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ITLS6201: Global Distribution Strategy

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect