Unit Information
BUS211
International Logistics
Teaching Period: S1, 2023
This guide should be used in conjunction with the Handbook as the official source of
information about this unit.
Refer to myMurdoch Learning for on-going communication and your learning and
assessment content.
Unit Coordinator: Dr Simon Minaee
South Street Campus
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge that Murdoch University is situated on the lands of the Whadjuk and Binjareb Noongar people.
We pay our respects to their enduring and dynamic culture and the leadership of Noongar elders past and
present. The boodjar (country) on which Murdoch University is located has, for thousands of years, been a place
of learning. We at Murdoch University are proud to continue this long tradition.
© Published by Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, 2022.
This publication is copyright. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act no part of it may in
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written permission of the publisher.
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Contents
1.
Unit information .................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.
Unit Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.
Learning outcomes ............................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3.
Graduate attributes .............................................................................................................................................. 5
1.4.
General guidance and requirements .................................................................................................................... 5
2.
Contact details ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.
Unit coordinator .................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.
How to study this unit ........................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.
Approach to learning ............................................................................................................................................ 7
3.1.1.
Learning approach underpinning unit .............................................................................................................. 7
3.1.2.
Unit changes in response to student feedback................................................................................................ 7
3.1.3.
Overall expectations ........................................................................................................................................ 8
3.1.4.
Learning activities and details.......................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.
Suggested time commitment ............................................................................................................................... 8
4.
Unit Schedule ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.
Assessments ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
5.1.
Assessment summary ........................................................................................................................................ 10
5.2.
Assessment information ..................................................................................................................................... 11
5.2.1.
Assessment 1 - Anticipated Logistics Challenges .................................................................................... 11
5.2.2.
Assessment 2 - Proposed Logistics Solutions .......................................................................................... 13
5.2.3.
Assessment 3 - Final Examination .............................................................................................................. 17
5.3.
Academic integrity .............................................................................................................................................. 18
5.4.
Extensions and late submissions ....................................................................................................................... 18
5.5.
Determination of the final grade ......................................................................................................................... 18
6.
Learning resources ............................................................................................................................................ 19
6.1.
All learning resources ......................................................................................................................................... 19
6.2.
Essential learning resources .............................................................................................................................. 19
7.
Academic Advice and Student Support ............................................................................................................. 20
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1.
Unit information
Welcome to:
Unit Code
BUS211
Unit Name
International Logistics
1.1.
Unit Overview
This unit prepares students for current international logistics practice. With fluctuating international trade
patterns brought on by multiple factors, there is an expanding array of issues that international business
managers must consider when seeking to expedite the movement of goods and services across borders.
Taking a functional approach, the unit reviews how the international transportation of a cargo can best be
managed. Where appropriate, priority will be given to issues relevant to Australian business interests to offer
a practical and relevant focus.
1.2.
Learning outcomes
This unit enables you to demonstrate your achievement of the following unit learning outcomes.
Unit Learning Outcomes
1. Analyse the changing nature of international logistics
2. Understand and satisfy the procedural requirements necessary to
import and export products
3. Evaluate the common obstacles encountered by logistics and supply-
chain specialists
4. Assess and apply an appropriate form of distribution for products set
to be exported/ imported
5. Develop a product that will meet customs, packaging and security
requirements
6. Draft and evaluate international commercial documents
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Course Learning Outcomes
1
2
4
4
5
2
1.3.
Graduate attributes
This unit will contribute to the development of the following Graduate Attributes:

Communication

Social justice

Critical and creative thinking

Global perspective

Social interaction

Interdisciplinarity

Independent and lifelong learning

In-depth knowledge of a field of study

Ethics
1.4.
General guidance and requirements
Please refer to Support & Advice via myMurdoch for all the information you need for your studies.
This includes:

Student admin, Exams and Essentials, including Policies (refer to Assessment Policy and others), Key dates,
Complaints and appeals

Learning and study support, including information about Academic Integrity and Murdoch Academic Passport

Health and wellbeing information, including Accessibility services, Medical and counselling services,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support, and Sexuality, sex and gender diversity support
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2.
Contact details
2.1.
Unit coordinator
Name:
Simon Minaee
Discipline:
Management
Campus:
South Street
Email:
s.minaee@murdoch.edu.au
Phone:
+61 8 9360 2769
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3.
How to study this unit
3.1.
Approach to learning
3.1.1.
Learning approach underpinning unit
International Logistics has a strong practical focus. The aim of the unit is to help students to engage in
international trade. Evidence of international trade surrounds us, yet few consider the steps needed to engage
professionally in this exchange. As professionals, what should we be doing to reliably supply overseas
commercial clients with the goods they demand? How can you ensure that goods can successfully get to their
destination?
This unit helps students answer these questions and learn how they can participate in international trade. The
unit helps students understand how modern businesses import and export goods across the globe.
This is an information-heavy unit because there is a lot to take in. Professional practitioners must be aware of
an array of important steps that enable cargoes to clear customs; meet local and international legal standards;
arrive at their destinations undamaged; move across borders unhindered, and so on.
The rules and regulations that underpin international logistics are not generally open to debate. And ignoring
these can result in lost consignments, squandered opportunities and financial penalties.
But if we are aware of the core steps needed to manage international trade and logistical operations, we can
formulate logistics solutions that can transform a local operation into a thriving international business.
Understanding how to import and export offers us international commercial opportunities. Understanding how
international logistics functions can unlock a world of opportunity.
3.1.2.
Unit changes in response to student feedback
The 2023 iteration of the unit reflects both updates to the core text (republished in 2021), and developments
shaping the international logistics landscape. In recent months, the world has been rocked by the Covid
pandemic, geo-political confrontation and climatic disasters.
These developments and many others have impacted on many people’s lives and created changing patterns
of behaviour.
The 2023 iteration of BUS211 seeks to reflect these changes.
Please note: that the Unit Coordinator reserves the right to make corrections and minor amendments to this
document over the course of the study period. Study participants will be informed if and when amendments
occur and be given a rationale for any changes.
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3.1.3.
Overall expectations
BUS211 is made up of 12 study workshops (each of which has an accompanying video recording available on
LMS). The unit’s accompanying LMS page provides students with relevant supporting study materials and
instructions on how to successfully complete the unit. Assignment submission and subsequent feedback are
also managed on this site. We expect students to actively engage with the workshops, the LMS site and the
study assignments.
3.1.4.
Learning activities and details
To help students grasp the practical challenges that professional logisticians face, this unit relies upon casebased challenges throughout the learning journey. The rationale for this approach is to enable students to
apply what they have learned in the workshops to scenarios that reflect the demands they will face in a realworld settling.
Students are expected to evaluate the circumstances underpinning a challenge, develop viable logistics
solutions and justify their recommendations using evidence.
3.2.
Suggested time commitment
As BUS211 is a 3-credit point unit, we expect you to spend 150 hours overall working on this unit.
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4.
Unit Schedule
See myMurdoch Learning for details of all learning activities and assessments.
Work
Shop
Date
Commencing
1
27 Feb
The Growth of International Trade (Chapter 1)
2
6 Mar
International Supply Chain Management (Chapter 2)
3
13 Mar
Logistics Infrastructure (Chapter 3)
4
20 Mar
International Contracts (Chapter 5)
5
27 Mar
Terms of Trade/ INCOTERMS (Chapter 6)
6
3 Apr
Study Topic
Assessment due
date
Terms of Payment (Chapter 7)
Currency, Transaction Risks and Commercial
7
17 Apr
Document
Assignment 1 due.
(Chapters 8 & 9)
8
24 Apr
International Insurance (Chapter 10)
9
8 May
Multi-Modal Transportation (Chapters 11 - 13)
10
15 May
Packaging and Logistics Security (Chapters 15 & 19)
11
22 May
12
29 May
Customs Clearance & Cross Border Trade (Chapters 20
& 21)
Warehouses & Exam Preparation (Chapter 16)
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Assignment 2 due.
5.
Assessments
Assessment for this unit is conducted in accordance with the Assessment Policy.
5.1.
Assessment summary
Unit Learning
Outcomes
No.
Assessment Name
1
Project ‘Anticipated Logistics
Challenges’
A 2,000-word (+/-) research paper on
one of three logistics challenges.
2
Report ‘Proposed Logistics
Solutions’
12-page group report detailing the steps
needed to complete an import and an
export project.
3, 4, 5, 6
3
Examination
A written examination covering the
contents of the unit.
1, 2, 3, 4
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2, 3, 4, 6
Individual
/ Group
Due Date
and Time
Individual
Friday before
midnight.
Week of
Workshop 7.
40%
Group
Friday before
midnight.
Week of
Workshop 12.
30%
Individual
TBD.
Weight %
30%
5.2.
Assessment information
5.2.1.
Assessment 1 - Anticipated Logistics Challenges
ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION
Students are required to write an individual 2,000-word (+/-) research paper on one of the following three topics to be
submitted on LMS on the Friday of Workshop 7 (in an MS-Word document format). Students should be prepared to
draw from different sources and provide an evaluation of relevant scholarly perspectives pertaining to the question
covered.
1. You are tasked with importing a cargo of dried almonds (1,000kg) from Greece to the location where
you are currently studying this unit. How can this best be done? What challenges would you anticipate and
how would you overcome these?
2. You are tasked with importing a cargo of Gjetost cheese (1,000kg) from the Gudbrandsdalen valley of
Norway to the location where you are currently studying this unit. Describe the key challenges you would
anticipate. How would you overcome these?
3. You are tasked with exporting a cargo of organic white beeswax (1,000kg) from the location where you
are currently studying this unit to a client in Ontario, Canada. Describe the key challenges you would
anticipate. How would you overcome these?
Important Note:
When answering these questions, it is important that you understand and answer the question(s) posed and edit your
work carefully. Be aware that your textbook will not offer sufficient detailed coverage of any of the three questions listed.
To complete these questions, students must research the issues covered, drawing upon a range of published materials.
Students will also need to think carefully about their answers.
Though your textbook will offer limited help in this assignment so you are encouraged to study widely. The Murdoch
University library represents a valuable source of information and should be accessed. Consider, in particular, the
recommended readings listed in this unit outline.
GUIDELINES for SUCCESS
To successfully complete this assignment, students should craft a methodical explanation addressing each component
of the assignment task. Each part of the task should begin with an explanation as to what is being done and how the
writer will do this. Definitions and caveats should then follow; after which the writer should adopt a point-by-point
approach to addressing the assignment task. In doing this, the student should conduct a sound analysis of each point
and offer supporting evidence. Each part of the task should end with a summary or conclusion.
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Successful submissions will be carefully edited and include in-text references; as well as a final reference list of at least
8 credible reference sources.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Students are required to submit their completed assignment on LMS. The completed assignment should be in a
MSWord document format. Students should use an Arial font of no larger than 12pt.
HOW IT IS ASSESSED (summary)
You will be assessed on these key criteria:
Category
Structure
Description
Weighting
The suitability of the structure used to address
5 marks
the question.
Detail
The breadth and depth of the research
10 marks
conducted.
Analysis
The degree of critical analysis used.
5 marks
Quality
The quality of the grammar and spelling.
5 marks
Referencing
The quality of the referencing; both in- and end-
5 marks
text.
TOTAL
30 marks
FEEDBACK FOR LEARNING
Feedback for assessment submission will be provided to you via LMS within two weeks of the assignment due date.
FURTHER DETAILS
See myMurdoch Learning for further details, such as instructions, communication, resources, guides, exemplars and a
descriptive rubric assessment tool.
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5.2.2.
Assessment 2 - Proposed Logistics Solutions
ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION
Note that this is a group assignment. Groups should consist of no more than four (4) members.
For this assignment, groups should ensure that you have access to a copy of the core textbook. Each group is required
to perform the role of a freight forwarder and to prepare two reports (Tasks One and Two).
The complete submission should be no longer than 12 pages (excluding appendices and references) and is
due at the end of the week (Friday before midnight) of Workshop 12.
Task One
A commercial fisher has tasked you with exporting/ transporting 2900kg of Smoked Pacific Salmon to a client at
Hamburg Fischmarkt, Hamburg, Germany.
Your task here is to:
1. Explain step-by-step how you intend to do this.
2. Justify your decision to take each of the steps you propose.
3. Outline the risks the exporter will be taking.
4. Include relevant documents or explanations of these documents in an appendix.
Details
Item:
Smoked Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka.)
Tariff Code:
0305.41.00
Quantity:
2900kg
From:
Fremantle, WA.
To:
Hamburg Fischmarkt (Hamburg Fish Market).
Further info:
Exporting to:
U3 Haltestelle Landungsbrücken
S1, S3 Haltestelle Reeperbahn
Buslinie 112 Haltestelle Fischmarkt
Terms of Trade:
Delivered At Place (DAP)
Payment:
Letter of Credit
Task Two
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You are a freight forwarder and have a client in Perth who wants to import 70,000 litres of wooden floor polish from
China Your client expects the cargo to arrive as soon as possible. They expect the cargo to be completely undamaged
and fully unloaded at its final destination.
Your task here is to:
1. Explain step-by-step how you intend to arrange this for your client.
2. Justify your decision to take each of the steps you propose.
3. Outline the risks your customer will be taking.
4. Include relevant documents or explanations of these documents in an appendix.
Details:
Items:
Premium Luxury Superb Under-Foot Comfort PU Foam Carpet Underlay Rolls.
(https://anertesponge.en.made-in-china.com/product/RFWfgCXlAtce/China-Premium-LuxurySuperb-Under-Foot-Comfort-PU-Foam-Carpet-Underlay-Rolls.html)
Quantity:
5000m²
Tariff Code:
4008.11.00
From:
Nantong Anerte Sponge Product Co., Ltd.
166 Qiuhong Road, Duntou Town,
Hai'an City, Nantong,
Jiangsu, China 226691
To:
78 Hasler Road Osborne Park WA 6017
Western Australia
Company Overview:
https://anertesponge.en.made-in-china.com/
Terms of Trade:
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)
Payment:
Cash in Advance
Important Note: When answering these questions, it is important that you understand and answer the question(s) posed
and edit your work carefully. Be aware that your textbook will not offer sufficient detailed coverage of any of the three
questions listed. To complete these questions, students will be required to research the issues covered, drawing upon
a range of published materials. Students will also need to think carefully about their answers.
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GUIDELINES for SUCCESS
To successfully complete this assignment, students should craft a step-by-step explanation addressing how the
assigned task can best be achieved. Each step should be broken down by the student group and each should begin
with an explanation as to what is being done and how the group will achieve this. Definitions and caveats should be
included. Explanations and recommendations should be clear and measured, incorporating the writers’ reasoning and
anticipated risks. Throughout the assignment, student should offer supporting evidence in the form of references. Each
part of the assignment should end with a summary or conclusion.
Successful submissions will be carefully edited and include in-text references (with an appendix containing examples
of the documentation needed to complete these tasks); as well as a final reference list of at least 20 credible
reference sources.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Students are required to submit their completed assignment on LMS. The completed assignment should be in a
MSWord document format. Students should use an Arial font of no larger than 12pt.
HOW IT IS ASSESSED (summary)
You will be assessed on these key criteria:
Category
Credibility
Description
Addressing each of the necessary stages
Weighting
10 marks
required to successfully transport a cargo.
Detail
The breadth and depth of the research
10 marks
conducted.
Structure
The clarity of step-by-step reasoning.
5 marks
Quality
The quality of the grammar and spelling.
5 marks
Referencing &
The quality of the referencing; both in- and end-
10 marks
Appendix
text plus an appendix.
TOTAL
40 marks
The assessment includes a moderation process to ensure reliable, just, and fair outcomes.
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FEEDBACK FOR LEARNING
Feedback for assessment submission will be provided to you via LMS within two weeks of the assignment due date.
FURTHER DETAILS
See myMurdoch Learning for further details, such as instructions, communication, resources, guides, exemplars and a
descriptive rubric assessment tool.
Unit Code: Unit Name Page 16 of 21
5.2.3.
Assessment 3 - Final Examination
ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION
This unit concludes with a final examination. The examination will be based upon a case study that will be available on
LMS for students to review from the time of the final workshop.
The exam for the unit will cover a range of material covered in the unit and will require students to apply their learning
to a series of short case-based scenarios. Students should have an understanding of all of the topics covered.
Your workshop facilitator will provide further information on the exam at the end of the semester.
Due date: Examination Period: The date and time to be announced.
FURTHER DETAILS
See myMurdoch Learning for further details, such as instructions, communication, resources, guides, exemplars and a
descriptive rubric assessment tool.
Unit Code: Unit Name Page 17 of 21
5.3.
Academic integrity
Murdoch University expects students and staff to pursue the highest standards of integrity in all academic activity.
Academic integrity involves behaving ethically and honestly in scholarship and relies on respect for others’ ideas through
proper acknowledgement and referencing of publications.
Academic misconduct is treated seriously and penalties may apply.
More information about academic integrity can be found at https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/learningstudy. To help you learn
about academic integrity practices, all students are required to complete the Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100).
Please also note the library citation guide.
Murdoch University makes use of content matching software to detect submitted work that is not original. When you
submit an assessment to myMurdoch Learning, it is checked by this software. Your Unit Coordinator may apply other
processes to verify that your submitted assessment is your own work.
5.4.
Extensions and late submissions
In this unit, extensions and late submissions follow these requirements:

Students should contact the Workshop Facilitator via email, at least 48 hours before the final submission date.
In doing so, students should state their name, student number, unit code, reason why an extension is being
sought and supporting evidence.

In situations where study group cooperation has broken down, individual members can elect to work separately
(though this decision should first be communicated to all remaining group members). This decision will not result
in an automatic extension to assignment due dates.
This unit follows Murdoch policies and procedures with regards to extensions and late submissions, supplementary and
deferred assessment.
Students who feel that their disability, medical condition or disability caring responsibilities may impact on their capacity
meet assessment submission are strongly advised to visit Access and Inclusion as early as possible to discuss potential
needs and assistance.
5.5.
Determination of the final grade
Refer to Reporting of Results in the Assessment Policy for information about marks and grades.
Unit Code: Unit Name Page 18 of 21
6.
Learning resources
6.1.
All learning resources
Your learning resources and any updates are provided through myMurdoch Learning (LMS) in the myMurdoch portal.
Learning resources within the myMurdoch Learning online environment for this unit will be
1. integrated within the sections and learning activities
and/or
2. through tools such as:
6.2.
o
My Unit Readings
o
Collaborate
o
Echo360
o
PebblePad
Essential learning resources
Essential to success in this unit are these learning resources:
Resource details
Resource type
Electronic copies of the core textbook can
be purchased at:
International Logistics: the Management of
International Trade Operations
(Published 1 June, 2021)
Author:
Publisher:
Paperback:
ISBN-10:
ISBN-13:
Pierre A. David
Cicero Books, LLC; 6th edition
866 pages
1736945602
978-1736945605
Available
Textbook
https://cicerobooks.com/product/internation
al-logistics-6e-electronic-version-pierredavid/
Alternatively, hard copies of the book can
be ordered from amazon.com or
cicerobooks.com.
Other resources and further recommended resources are to be found in myMurdoch Learning.
Unit Code: Unit Name Page 19 of 21
7.
Academic Advice and Student Support
Need guidance on study related issues?
Use this flowchart or seek direct assistance from
Student Support Services or MyMurdochAdvice.
If you have…?
 Questions about content covered in tutorials or practical sessions.
 General questions about completing assessments.
 Concerns about another student or your learning needs.
 Positive and constructive feedback.
 Questions about unit content, assessments, attendance or tutorial times.
 Questions on marked assessments.
 Academic issues with your learning in this unit.
 Positive and constructive feedback.
 Academic issues that haven’t been adequately addressed by the unit
coordinator.
 Academic issues relating to progression through your degree, withdrawal from
a unit or intermission.
 Positive and constructive feedback.
 Academic or other issues that haven’t been adequately addressed by your
academic chair or you aren’t comfortable discussing with your academic chair.
 Request to re-mark an assessment.
 Complaints or appeals relating to your studies that haven’t been adequately
addressed. Visit Complaints and Appeals for more advice.
 Positive and constructive feedback.
Unit Code: Unit Name Page 20 of 21
To further escalate an appeal or complaint, contact the Dean Learning and Teaching
and/or see Complaints and Appeals for formal appeals procedures.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES: https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/supportservices
LEARNING AND STUDY SUPPORT: https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/learningstudy
MYMURDOCH ADVICE: https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/mymurdochadvice
COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS: https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/ComplaintsAppeals
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Unit Code: Unit Name Page 21 of 21