AMN430 International Logistics Management


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:AMN430
Credit points:12
Equivalent:AMX430, IBN410
Coordinator:Lars Isaksson | lars.isaksson@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit provides you with an introduction to the logistics functions that enable the planning, procurement, production, movement, distribution, and positioning of goods and services in an international business context. You will focus on supply chain management, emphasising the importance of integrating international business activities and collaborating with other firms. You will learn to manage not only the movement and positioning of inventory, but also the flow of information, finance, data, and knowledge across borders.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Explain how traditional logistics functions have been transformed by the development of global supply chains and the adoption of advanced technologies. [KS 1.1]
  2. Examine how differing local environmental conditions, such as economic, political, regulatory, cultural, and infrastructural factors, impact logistics operations and influence strategic decision-making. [HO 2.1]
  3. Identify and evaluate strategies to address specific challenges in international logistics, including issues such as cross-border regulations, transportation complexities, supply chain risks, and cultural or market differences. [KS 1.2, HO 2.2]
  4. Evaluate supply chain management strategies for different country and industry contexts. [HO 2.1]
  5. Develop and enhance skills in professional report writing, including presenting data and analysis effectively, and communicating findings in a concise and persuasive manner appropriate for logistics contexts. [PC 3.1]

Content

Key topics include: 

  • Introduction to supply chain management and logistics
  • Inventory management and risk pooling
  • Logistics network planning
  • Supply chain integration
  • The value of information
  • Strategic alliances
  • Procurement and outsourcing strategies
  • International distribution strategies and supply chain management
  • Global logistics and risk management
  • Coordinated product and supply chain design
  • Customer value and supply chain management
  • Smart pricing
  • Information technology and business processes.

 

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.

Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.

Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

The unit will make use of relevant issues and cases in logistics and supply chain management. It will incorporate case study analysis to extend the theoretical underpinnings developed throughout the unit. Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate real-world supply chain challenges, identify best practices, and apply analytical frameworks to develop practical solutions. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the strategic, operational, and ethical dimensions of logistics management, as well as exploring emerging trends such as digitalisation, sustainability, and global supply chain resilience.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

In this unit, you will develop your analytical and critical thinking skills in the context of logistics and supply chain management. You will be tasked with creating a value-chain industry report and a comprehensive operations plan to evaluate real-world supply chain challenges, propose strategic solutions, and demonstrate your ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical business scenarios.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Value-Chain Industry Report

This assessment aims to evaluate your ability to comprehend logistics concepts. You should approach it as if you are an industry expert presenting to a company client interested in that industry. You are expected to address all key activities and processes that occur within the industry and exemplify how 1–3 companies operate within it. You should also provide a clear account of how logistics and operations concepts are applied in the selected industry.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals):  KS (1.1) HO (2.1), PC (3.1)

 

Weight: 40
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 5

Assessment: Operations Plan

This assessment targets your knowledge of logistics concepts, terminology, functions, and procedures, as well as your ability to formulate solutions to logistics challenges. You will assume the role of an operations manager for a company, where your task is to assess the business objectives and develop a comprehensive operations plan focused on international business expansion. Your plan should cover all aspects of the value chain and include well-justified recommendations for your CEO, supported by complete revenue, cost, and profit predictive calculations.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals):  KS (1.1, 1.2), HO (2.1, 2.2)

 

Weight: 60
Length: 2500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Simchi-Levi, D., Kaminsky, P., & Simchi-Levi, E. (2010). Designing and managing the supply chain: Concepts, strategies, and case studies (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Other

You can expand your knowledge in this unit by accessing the full-text databases available on the QUT Library website. Utilising electronic resources through the library and the Internet is essential for examining current issues in logistics and supply chain management. Key journals to include:

  • Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (via Emerald)
  • International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management (via EBSCO)
  • International Journal of Logistics Management (via ProQuest)
  • Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics (via Emerald)

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with learning and teaching activities in this unit. 

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO3, Operations Plan

KS (1.1): Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan

KS (1.2): Technical, Technological and Research Skills

Relates to: ULO3, Operations Plan

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO5, Value-Chain Industry Report

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BN87 Master of Engineering Management

  1. Apply advanced engineering management knowledge, concepts and practices in managing engineering systems and assets
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
  2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering management problems to achieve research informed solutions
    Relates to: ULO3
  3. Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering management project
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
  4. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non-specialist audiences.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO5, Value-Chain Industry Report
  5. Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering management decision making and professional accountability .
    Relates to: ULO5, Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan

BS11 Master of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
    Relates to: ULO1, Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan
  2. Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, Operations Plan
  3. Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan
  4. Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
    Relates to: ULO3, Operations Plan
  5. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
    Relates to: ULO5, Value-Chain Industry Report

EN55 Master of Professional Engineering

  1. Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
    Relates to: Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan
  2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
    Relates to: Operations Plan
  3. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non specialist audiences.
    Relates to: Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan
  4. Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering decision making and professional accountability.
    Relates to: Value-Chain Industry Report, Operations Plan