Course coordinator
Dr Henry Xu
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
The past four decades have witnessed the strategic importance of international supply chains for companies to gain competitive advantage in the global marketplace in terms of reducing costs, improving quality, and increasing profits. At the same time, as we have experienced during the pandemic, the smooth operation of international supply chains is essential to our daily lives. This course addresses important supply chain issues, such as supply chain strategy and logistics management, and is intended for students with diverse academic backgrounds including business, marketing, information management, and engineering.
The course gives an overview of the key concepts, principles and practices for global value creation and delivery and develops transferrable professional skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, research and communication through engaging case studies, interactive class discussions, cutting-edge research findings as well as a research-based assignment. Guest lecturers who are supply chain professionals such as senior business managers and consultants will be actively involved in the delivery of some topics and the undertaking of case studies.
Sustainable Development Goals - UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Postgraduate preferably with most core completed.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS7710 or 7807
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Henry Xu
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
To successfully compete in the global marketplace, companies must manage their supply chains effectively and efficiently. This course aims to support strategic decision-makers and operations managers in successfully managing supply chains across different functions and boundaries with business partners.
To this end, this course will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of how to achieve effective integration and coordination of supply chain operations to reduce costs and improve customer service. Moreover, students will develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills through critical discussions of thoughtful case study questions.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Discuss key concepts, principles and processes for managing international supply chains.
LO2.
Critically evaluate major factors influencing international supply chain operations.
LO3.
Persuasively integrate operational decisions into organisational strategy.
LO4.
Apply appropriate supply chain concepts and theories to diverse real-world business cases.
LO5.
Critically and collaboratively discuss supply chain strategies and practices and their impacts on society.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
In-seminar Activities
|
25% Individual Assignment |
Week 5 Mon - Week 12 Fri |
| Essay/ Critique |
Literature Review
|
45% Team Assignment |
30/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Reflection |
Reflection Paper
|
30% Individual Assignment |
9/06/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
In-seminar Activities
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 25% Individual Assignment
- Due date
Week 5 Mon - Week 12 Fri
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The in-seminar activities will be completed over seven seminars, specifically Seminars 5 to 11 (from Week 5 to Week 12, excluding Week 10 due to the Labour Day Public Holiday). This in-class activity will take place during the seminar in the form of multiple-choice questions mainly based on that week’s lecture content, readings and case study. You have seven (7) opportunities (i.e., Seminars 5 to 11) to submit your answers and earn marks. Of these seven (7) in-class activities, only the best five will count towards your final grade for the course. Each activity is worth up to 5 marks, which means a maximum of 25 marks (out of 100) can be earned through these activities.
Please note that no late submissions will be accepted, and no extensions will be granted. Please also note that students are required to bring their own devices (e.g., laptops, tablets or smartphones) that can access the Blackboard to complete the activities.
Submission guidelines
You will submit your in-seminar activity to the Blackboard in class.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
No late submissions will be accepted.
Literature Review
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 45% Team Assignment
- Due date
30/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
This team assignment is essentially a critical review of the key literature (selected from relevant academic journal papers) on a specific topic related to supply chain management. In the first seminar, we will provide you with ten topics to choose from, and your team can choose any of the ten topics for your literature review paper which is also called "semester paper".
Generally speaking, your semester paper should follow the format of a standard essay, which consists of three components: introduction, body and conclusion. The general guidelines for each section are summarised as follows:
- In the introduction, you need to identify a specific (usually narrowly defined) topic for your paper and clearly define the scope of your literature review (e.g., limited to key papers published in the past decade, or to one or more specific industries). Importantly, you need to explain the main reason(s) for choosing the topic and indicate two or three major themes (or issues) identified through your literature research and analysis.
- In the body of the paper, you are advised to organise your review of the literature (including summary, critical evaluation and synthesis) around the two or three major themes (or issues) as indicated in your introduction based on a critical analysis of the important papers on your chosen topic. These two or three major themes (or issues) can form two or three sections in the body of your paper. Under each section, you will analyse and synthesise key research papers related to the corresponding theme (or issue).
- In the conclusion section, you need to summarize the main findings of your review on your chosen topic and briefly discuss the implications of these findings for research and/or practice. You will also consider identifying some unanswered research questions on the topic that need to be addressed in the future.
It is highly recommended that you read some well-structured and well-written literature review papers before writing your paper. In the fourth lecture, there will be a workshop on how to write your semester paper. Further details about this assessment will be included at our course Blackboard site.
NOTE: the main text of your semester paper should not exceed 2,000 words (excluding the title, abstract, tables (if any) and references).
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Each team submits ONE copy of their semester paper in the WORD format to Turnitin by the due date.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Reflection Paper
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 30% Individual Assignment
- Due date
9/06/2025 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
While the semester paper requires you to critically analyse the selected literature related to a topic of your choice, this reflection paper requires you to think critically and introspectively about your learning activities in the supply chain course. The main purpose of this assessment is to allow you to demonstrate some insight into the course content and your learning experience.
Reflections are more personal and introspective than standard academic essays, requiring a first-person account and critical analysis and interpretation of your learning experience in the course. Nonetheless, your reflection paper should have a similar structure to a standard essay, consisting of three parts, namely an introduction, body, and conclusion. Specifically, your reflection should include the following four sections:
- In the introduction, you should briefly provide key background information for your reflection (e.g., motivation for taking the course, objectives, etc.). You should also identify some key activities that you feel have been helpful to your learning this semester (e.g. case study discussions, guest lectures, etc.) and explain why?
- The main body consists of two sections, namely Section A and Section B. In Section A, you are required to identify two key topics (e.g., supply chain strategies, and supply chain integration and collaboration) you have come across during the semester and critically analyse how and why they have had a positive impact on your learning in relation to your knowledge base. These topics should be analysed by relating them to suitable cases discussed in the course and by referring to appropriate journal papers through literature research.
- In Section B of the main body, you need to identify some of the key learning activities you undertook (e.g., class discussions, skills development workshops from Weeks 2 to 4, case study workshops, group work, etc.) during the semester and critically analyse how and why they had a positive impact on your skill development.
- Finally, in the conclusion section, you are advised to consider summarising what you have learned about international supply chains and how your learning has changed your perspective on your chosen field of study and/or addressed a gap in your knowledge base, as well as how your learning experience has shaped your career aspirations or employability in the future.
In Week 13, there will be in-class discussions and consultations on writing issues related to critical reflection. Further details (including the marking criteria) about the assessment will be made accessible at our course Blackboard site in due course.
NOTE: your reflection paper should not exceed 1,200 words (excluding the title page, references and appendices (if any)).
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Each student submits ONE copy of their reflection paper in the WORD format to Turnitin by the due date.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Course Outline and Introduction Readings/Ref: ML (Ch1) Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Global Logistics & Supply Chain Performance Workshop on Case Analysis Readings/Ref: ML (Ch2&12) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Supply Chain Strategies Workshop on Case Study Discussion Readings/Ref: ML (Ch4) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Demand Management & Forecasting Workshop on Semester Paper Readings/Ref: CLNG (Ch7&8) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Strategic Sourcing & Supply Management Guest Lecture; Case Study Discussion Readings/Ref: ML (Ch3&8) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Inventory Management Case Study Discussion Readings/Ref: ML (Ch9) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Logistics & Supply Chain Information Systems Case Study Discussion Readings/Ref: ML (Ch11&12) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Supply Chain Integration & Collaboration Case Study Discussion Readings/Ref: ML (Ch3&12) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Warehousing & Transportation Case Study Discussion Readings/Ref: ML (Ch5&10) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Consultation on Semester Paper Labour Day Public Holiday (Monday 5 May 2025) - No Seminars This Week Monday class students attend Tuesday or Wednesday classes for in-class consultation. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Supply Network Risks Guest Lecture; Case Study Discussion Readings/Ref: ML (Ch13) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Review of Large Case Studies Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course Review and Reflection Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goals
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through lectures and assessment.
Goal 5: Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.