IFB209TC
2nd SEMESTER 2023/24 ASSESSED COURSEWORK
BSC INTELLIGENT SUPPLY CHAIN WITH CONTEMPORARY
ENTREPRENEURIALISM
LOGISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION
Assessment Two: Business Analysis Assignment
Deadline for submission: 11:59 PM on Friday 24th May 2024 (Beijing time).
IFB209TC Logistics and Distribution
Assessment Brief
Task: Write a report (2,500 words ± 10%) that analyses international logistics and distribution for a company in the real world regarding its current operating situation and ongoing sustainable improvement. Provide potential solutions to further improve efficiency or/and sustainability in the logistics and distribution of the selected company.
Background and context: Select a real company in the world as the research objective. The company could be a company in the industry of manufacturing, energy, mining, agriculture, medicine, and so on, which sells their products or purchase the raw materials globally. Imagine you are a logistics manager of the selected company. Your immediate task is to analyse and improve the international logistics and distribution, especially maritime logistics.
Indicative Content:
While its content and structure is for you to determine, the following is an indicative list of some of the content you could incorporate into your report:
- A short introduction that includes the aims and objectives of the report,a description of how you have approached the task, and an overview of the structure of the report.
- A short description of the company you selected, including main areas of business, main
products, target markets (specific countries and even cities), and any other information that you consider relevant to the task at hand.
- A detailed logistics and/or distribution plan for either raw materials (bulk cargoes, contained goods, etc.) or final products all over the world. A figure illustrating the logistics and distribution structure/network with transportation modes is required.
- A critical analysis of the current operational situation in terms of efficiency or/and sustainability issues.
- Solutions and justification of your improvement plan in comparison with the current situation.
- Brief discussion of the potential influence and/or risks regarding implementation.
Tips:
- The choice of different sectors in the maritime logistics is dependent on the material/product characteristics.
- Both qualitative and quantitative methods are encouraged. You are suggested to use real data (e.g. information from the company and industry reports) for quantitative analysis.
- Can leverage on some reasonable assumptions when providing solutions.
Word count: 2,500 words± 10%, including table of contents, abstract/executive summary (if have), tables, figures. Marks will be deducted for work that exceeds the word count limit (see grading scheme below).
Preferred referencing method: Please ensure that the sources of all the information and data, and the analyses of others, are properly cited in your report using the Harvard style of referencing.
Indicative grading scheme:
- Structure and organisation of report (including effectively use of headings and subheadings) – up to 5 marks.
- Presentation of report (including writing style and accuracy; effective use of grammar and syntax; effective and accurate use of diagrams, tables, and illustrations; and length) – up to 10 marks.
- Content of report:
. Short introduction of the report – up to 5 marks.
. A detailed logistics and/or distribution plan – up to 10 marks.
. A critical analysis of the current operational situation – up to 20 marks.
. Solutions and justification of your improvement plan – up to 20 marks.
. Brief discussion of implementation – up to 10 marks.
- Quality of information and data presented (including evidence of independent research) – up to 10 marks.
- Use and application of relevant scholarly literature (including appropriate referencing, use of in- text citations and accurate presentation of bibliography/list of references) – up to 10 marks.