University of Technology Sydney

210711 Global Logistics and Distribution

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

New technologies, government regulation, market forces and cultural issues are constantly driving change in the way businesses operate their logistics and distribution networks globally. This subject focuses on global supply chain logistics and distribution, associated processes and practices, and highlights the unique differences compared to domestic logistic and distribution networks. Learners in this subject are exposed to drivers, economic importance and geographical issues of supply chains globally. Topics covered include modes of transportation networks, multi-modal transport including last-mile delivery, cross-border tariffs, international trade terms, packaging and customs requirements. Learners develop stakeholder management skills to work across cultural barriers and manage relationships across individuals and teams from diverse backgrounds.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. Assess similarities and differences in deployment of technologies, government regulations, market forces and cross-cultural issues in logistics and distribution networks, including in Indigenous contexts
2. Develop capabilities for designing and managing global logistics and distribution networks
3. Evaluate different modes of transportation for effective management of distribution networks
4. Reflect on management of cross-cultural issues and the skills and approaches required to work with teams from diverse backgrounds successfully

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Businesses are now connected globally with both domestic and global markets. It is important to understand the concepts of global logistics and distribution systems to gain global competitiveness. This subject enables learners to understand domestics and global logistics and distributions, processes, practices, drivers and strategies for global logistics and distribution networks, global transportation systems, and cross-border and cultural issues in global logistics. Learners will be able to apply qualitative and quantitative approaches to analyse different global logistics design options and their processes and strategies. This subject will also enable learners to apply effective communication and collaboration strategies required to work with teams from diverse backgrounds successfully.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

  • Communication and collaboration

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered online using a range of resources, self-directed study and live interactive sessions with the academic. Learners engage in the essential content through a variety of formats (lecture slides, notes, webinars, videos, articles, real case studies) online and learner-led dialogue through online discussions and posts, and interactions via Canvas. The teaching and learning strategies have been designed to enable learners to make progress in their achievement and maximise their accomplishment of the learning outcomes. Various teaching and learning strategies adopted are as follows:

  1. Learners will be expected to read all the assigned readings and media articles, research and identify processes and practices for global logistics and distributions networks, drivers and strategies for designing a global logistics and distributions network, and cultural and relationship issues in global logistics.
  2. By conducting self-paced study, learners contribute to the discussions on domestics and global logistics and their distributions, processes, practices, drivers and strategies and cross-border and diverse cultural issues in global logistics. This will enhance learners’ ability to progress successfully throughout the subject and complete all assessment items effectively.
  3. The online sessions will provide opportunities for group activities and discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject facilitator. Online collaborative sessions with the facilitator will be conducted at a set time.
  4. Formative and summative feedback will be provided to all learners to support and enhance learner performance outcomes via assessments.

Content (topics)

  • Domestics vs global logistics and distributions
  • Processes and practices for global logistics and distributions networks
  • Drivers and strategies for designing a global logistics and distributions network
  • Managing transportation networks in global supply chain
  • Cross border tariffs, international trade terms, packaging and customs requirements
  • Managing cultural and relationship issues in global logistics

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Critical comparison of logistic networks (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1 and 4

Weight: 40%
Length:

1000 words, excluding references

Criteria:
  • Appropriate identification of stakeholders, strategies, and processes used in domestic and global logistic networks
  • Critical analysis of different processes and strategies regarding their usefulness, impact and limitations
  • Compare the similarities and differences in deployment of technologies, government regulations, market forces and cross-cultural issues in logistics and distribution networks, including in Indigenous contexts
  • Cohesion in communication and clarity of the discussion

Assessment task 2: Reflection essay (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

2 and 3

Weight: 20%
Length:

500 words, excluding references

Criteria:
  • Depth and rigor of critical reflection analysis of different drivers and strategies in designing a global logistics and distribution network
  • Evaluation and justification of situations when those drivers and strategies are most useful in designing a robust global logistics network
  • Coherent communication and clarity of the reflective essay

Assessment task 3: Develop a Plan (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 4

Weight: 40%
Length:

1000 words, excluding references

Criteria:
  • Depth and rigor of analysis in developing an implementation plan
  • Extent of analysis conducted demonstrating different strategies and best practices for cross border tariffs, international trade terms, packaging, customs requirements, and relationship management
  • Assess and demonstrate implications of the strategic plan to manage cross-cultural issues in global logistics
  • Reflect on the expectations of successful outcomes in working with cross-cultural teams

Minimum requirements

Learners must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

Required texts

There is no prescribed textbook required.

References

Resources from various sources will be used throughout the course.