ITLS6201: Semester 1, 2025
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Unit outline_

ITLS6201: Global Distribution Strategy

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Academic unit Transport and Logistics Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
ITLS5020 or ITLS5000 or ITLS5250 or TPTM5001 or MIBS6004
Prohibitions
? 
ITLS6101 or TPTM6440
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rico Merkert, rico.merkert@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Final exam
35% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment AI Allowed Individual report
n/a
35% Week 07
Due date: 10 Apr 2025 at 09:00

Closing date: 17 Apr 2025
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment AI Allowed Global Supply Chains presentation
Slides and oral presentation of each student (individual and group marks)
30% Week 12
Due date: 22 May 2025 at 17:55

Closing date: 22 May 2025
20-30 minutes per group
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

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 around 6 slides each. References cited in the slides should be listed at the end of each group of presentations. Each group will be required to make well-founded decisions on mode of transport, storage arrangements, order processing, tracking and tracing, the locations for activities, as well as on whether and, if so, how to outsource logistics.

Individual report: Students will prepare a 2,500-word report based on World Bank data related to international trade, logistics and the global distribution business. 

Final exam: A final exam of one hour during which students will be asked to demonstrate that they can apply the knowledge delivered in this unit by answering two multi-part essay type questions.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 S1 Introduction / Global Supply Chains: Economy, Key Players, Modes, and Models S2 Trade as a Strategic Business Opportunity Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 03 S3 Forecasting trade flows and the business cycle; S4 Designing global supply chains (introduce the projects) Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 04 S5 Strategic Management in Global Distribution S6 Access and regulatory challenges and global market participation strategies Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 05 S7 Strategic Investment in Logistics Infrastructure: Drivers of Freight Demand S8 Green Logistics and Sustainable Distribution Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 06 S9 Insurance and hedging S10 Trade finance and documentation; Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 07 S11 Intermodal supply chains and markets - Containerisation S12 Bulk supply chains, energy trades and markets Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 08 S13 Air Cargo Supply Chain- Industry structure and performance S14 Global Supply Chain Strategy: Insights from a Freight Forwarder's Perspective (Guest Lecture) Lecture (3 hr)  
Mid-semester break (21.04.-27.04.2025) Independent study (1 hr)  
Week 09 S15 Routing and scheduling in logistics S16 Hub location in logistics Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 10 S17 Digitalisation in the Supply Chain: Understanding Digital Maturity and Essential Skills S18 Advancing Digital Supply Chains and Enhancing Visibility Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 11 S19 Automation, AI and IoT in logistics; S20 Risk mitigation in global supply chains Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 12 S21 Global supply chain design/strategy presentations S22 Global supply chain design/strategy presentations Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 13 S23 Revision and potential guest lecture 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.

 

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

The textbook for this unit is:

Merkert, R. and Hoberg, K. (2023). Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies for the 2020s: Vital Skills for the Next Generation Springer; 1st ed. (we will cover at least six of the chapters of this book)
https://www.amazon.com/Global-Logistics-Supply-Chain-Strategies/dp/3030957632/ref=sr_1_6?qid=1657899035&refinements=p_27%3AKai+Hoberg&s=books&sr=1-6

In addition we recommend the following readings:

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 (2024): Review of Maritime Transport 2024 available at:
https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2024_en.pdf

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.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

based on feedback we updated the assessment (especially the individual assignment) and order/content of lectures which will make the unit more streamlined

Disclaimer

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

This unit of study outline was last modified on 04 Mar 2025.

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