Course syllabus
Course-PM
TEK717 Economy of transport and distribution lp1 HT24 (7.5 hp)
Course is offered by the Department of Technology Management and Economics
v1.0 2024.08.09 See bottom for revision history
ALL the online study occasions are located under the same Zoom Link (unless a special link provided in the calendar event).
Recurring Zoom link for ALL study occasions: https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/61370331674
Passcode: 230316
Contact details
Examiner:
Ceren Altuntas Vural (Links to an external site.), Division of Supply and Operations Management
ceren.altuntasvural@chalmers.se
031-772 6903
Teacher:
Ivan Dario Cardenas Barbosa, Division of Supply and Operations Management
ivandar@chalmers.se
Course assistant/supervisor:
Shazbah Shafi, Division of Supply and Operations Management
shazbah@chalmers.se
031-772 2268
Guest lecturers:
Per Olof Arnäs, Steerlink Partners
per-olof.arnas@steerlinkpartners.se
Sinem Tokcaer, Izmir University of Economics
Violeta Roso, Chalmers University of Technology
Student representatives:
TSILO esraalali878@gmail.com Israa Alali
TSILO emmahenricsson98@hotmail.com Emma Henricsson
TSILO oskarnolstedt@gmail.com Oskar Nolstedt
TSILO sofiajuliawahl@gmail.com Sofia Wahl
UTBYTE j.f.de.haan@student.rug.nl Julian de Haan
Course purpose
The purpose of the course is to acquire a deeper understanding for the interplay between demand and supply for transport within the macro and micro economic environment. To achieve this purpose, the course focuses on various components that affect the costs for distribution and logistics and the relationships between these costs and the price of logistics services. In addition, the course studies the significant issues that affect the economics of logistics systems such as environment, technological change and trends in shipper preferences.
Content
- Activities and costs of transportation
- The actors of the transportation and distribution channels, process control and new trends in transportation
- Distribution structures and their individual characteristics
- The construction of distribution structures in a network, integration and complexity
- Resource utilization and pricing in transportation
Learning objectives and syllabus
Learning objectives:
- Explain and analyse the cost structures within the different transport modes during logistics operations
- Describe the main physical, financial and information properties in distribution systems.
- Evaluate the effects of new logistics concepts with regard to the efficiency of a distribution system.
- Explain the relationship between cost and price in transportation and logistics.
- Divide transport costs into fixed and variable costs.
- Understand resource utilisation from a financial perspective.
Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen
Organisation
- Lectures and seminars (in-class and pre-recorded)
- Assignments
- Cases
- Guest lectures
Examination including compulsory elements
4 Inspera-based assessment sessions where students are required to complete a real-time quiz on the related week’s topics. Mandatory attendance to guest lectures, seminars and other mandatory tasks (marked with * in the Schedule in Canvas). Project work in groups.
Each assessment gives a maximum of 12.5 points and the group work gives a maximum of 50 points.
The threshold for passing the theory part (assessments) and the case part (Apelsin-group work) is 40 %. Each examining part (theory and case parts I and II) must be passed and all other mandatory parts must be fulfilled for completion of the course.
Grading thresholds for final grade (based on the total points):
40p = 3
60p = 4
80p = 5
Schedule
See Calendar here in Canvas for details. Canvas calendar will be the basis for the schedule. Check Canvas for the timing of different teaching and learning activities or Zoom links (if applicable).
Recurring Zoom link: https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/61370331674
Password: 230316
Course literature
Novack, R.A., Gibson, B.J. & Suzuki, Y. (2023) Transportation A Global Supply Chain Perspective, 10th Edition, Cengage, Boston, MA. ISBN-10: 0357908546 ISBN-13: 9780357908549
The book can be ordered both in an e-book or printed format from here
There is a special discount code for Chalmers students: SPEBACKTOUNIVERSITY224
If you’d like to get the printed form, please check Chalmers bookstore. If you order online, it might take appr. 10 working days for the book to arrive.
Lecture material (can be downloaded via Files/Lecture material)
Case material (can be downloaded via Files/Apelsin case, some material may not be available from the start).
Course design
The course is divided into two main parts, the percentages indicate work load:
- Theory - 50%
- Lectures, assessments and calculation sessions related to the course book (Transportation) plus guest lectures – 50 %
- Case project, group work – 50 %
Lectures, assessments and calculation sessions
The course contains one introductory lecture (L0), 7 lectures on theory (L1-7), related to the course book), three guest lectures (G1-3) and four assessment sessions (A1-A4).
Lectures will be run on Campus (unless specified elsewhere). Zoom link (if applicable) appears in Canvas calendar events and at the top of the course homepage. It is important that you follow the course book as the lectures will be organized interactively where discussions on selected small cases from the book or other previously assigned readings will be run in class.
Two of the guest lectures are applied lectures where you’ll first learn how to solve certain problems and then you’ll solve related problems yourselves in the following session. It is important to work on these and come to the workshops with your questions to succeed in their assessments.
For details regarding individual sessions, see the schedule in Canvas Calendar.
The assessment sessions will replace the end-of-term examinations. Each assessment will cover the topics that were discussed during the previous week. An assessment can be an Inspera-based time-limited online quiz, a discussion session where groups hand-in material, or a hand-in of an individual assignment. You’ll be informed about each assessment during the related week.
We might also use Canvas to add self-study assistance regarding some common calculation methods used in the course. To assist, there will be an open calculation session (Ca) where a teacher will be available to answer questions. The questions and supporting visual material will be provided on Canvas and you’ll be informed when they are online.
Case project
The case ("Apelsin") is a role play where the client is a CEO of a manufacturing company and the case groups are consultants hired to help the company. Initially, the problems are related to the distribution of products to the customers, but as the case progresses, the focus may change.
The case has often been perceived as confusing by the students who have taken the course earlier. This is a lot due to the fact, that this is an open-ended case. There are no simple or single solutions, it largely depends on your individual assumptions and the strategy you apply to solve the case. The case is designed to be realistic, and among others, it implies a lack of data, the necessity to make assumptions, responsibility for the choices you make along the process of solving the case, and responsibility for the results. Thus, it is important to be very clear in your writing and to make sure that all the assumptions and approximations are presented along with the case solution.
The case consists of two parts (1 and 2) and is centered around some videos that are released by the company CEO and two case seminars. At the start of the project, all groups get the same data (more data may be provided later):
- A description of the company and its (public) history
- Data files containing freight transactions
- Excerpt from the annual report
- Task description, as stated by the company
- A report by the logistics manager of the company suggests some changes
Special access to the environmental calculation tool NTM Calc can be found here
There will be two on-demand supervision sessions (12/9 and 10/10). The sessions (in case it is needed) must be booked by the groups by Canvas at least 3 days before the session.
Reporting guidelines
Each of the two parts of the case project is to be reported in writing as well as in seminar format. The following submissions are expected for the two parts:
The case seminars are organised differently. As shown in the table below, five seminar groups will be formed. Each of the seminar groups will have members from all of the case groups. The seminars will last 45 minutes.
Every group is expected to submit their case project report on 25 September, 23.59 (part 1) and on 23 October, 23.59 (Part 2). Formatting details for the report are given below. In addition to the case project report, every student, individually, must submit one question for the case seminar. This question needs to be about the course topics analysed in the case and can't be the same or very similar to other questions that are asked by other students! You will be able to see others' questions in your seminar groups so please read them carefully and avoid repeating questions within your groups. If the questions are repeated, you will be asked to resubmit the question. Questions are entered here (Seminar 1 and Seminar 2). Questions for case seminar 1 are due on 24 September, 12:00. Questions for case seminar 2 are due on 22 October, 12:00 (noon).
Every student will be graded both as a group member and individually based on their contribution to the case project. The report is graded out of 20 points. Each student's performance in the discussion sessions during case seminars will be evaluated out of 4 points. Finally, every student is expected to submit a reflection paper about the case project. The reflection paper is a maximum of 1 page and can be found here and here. A reflection paper is 1 point so in total a student can get a maximum of 25 points from each case project part. The deadline for submitting the reflection paper for case project 1 is 26 September, 23:59. Deadline for submitting the reflection paper for case project 2 is 24 October, 23:59. If you do not submit the reflection paper on time, you will not get 1 point.
The project reports:
The report will consist of three parts 1. Description, a diagnosis on how is the current situation and what problems are identified. 2. Analysis, breaking the situation into relevant components and gaining an understanding of those components. and 3. Prescription, synthesising the analysis by proposing desirable actions for the future.
Each report has a maximum limit of 6 pages, excluding the title page, table of contents, reference page and appendices). Use the space wisely. Keep in mind, that this is a role-play case and you are in the role of a consultancy firm. Think about what is relevant to include directly in your report, and what is better to attach as Appendices.
- Times New Roman 11pt for normal text
- Single line spacing
- 14 pt for level 1 headings
- 12 pt for level 2 headings
- Use outline numbering of headings
- Use page numbers
The report is submitted in Canvas as a PDF. All submissions will be checked by Urkund (anti-plagiarism). Do not copy text from other sources unless you are directly quoting.
Rubric:
| Part | Acceptable | Good | Excellent |
| Diagnosis | Describe the situation identifying the goal of the case, the cost structure and the pain points of the company | Accompany the description with relevant tables and visual aids | Demonstrate a complete understanding of the situation and develop a coherent story. |
| Analysis | Elaborate a coherent analysis of the proposed situation, Identify the data necessary for the analysis and present the results of the analysis. | Demonstrate correctness in the results of the analysis and use tables and visual aids to better explain the method used and the results. | Extend the analysis beyond the requirements of the case, and demonstrate clarity when presenting the method and the final results. |
| Prescription | Specify what actions are prescribed for the company in connection with the results of the diagnosis and the results of the analyses and briefly discuss the implications of such prescription. | Show a strong coherence with the diagnosis part and the analysis part, use visual aids (tables, figures) to communicate the results and discuss in depth the implications of the suggested actions. | Evaluate the results beyond the economics analysis, and demonstrate complete knowledge of the concepts of the course when connecting the results from the analysis and the prescription for the situation. |
Deadlines:
- Part 1 seminar questions: 24 September 2024, 12:00
- Part 1 report: 25 September 2024, 23:59
- Part 1 reflection paper: 26 September 2024, 23:59
- Part 2 seminar questions: 22 October 2024, 12:00
- Part 2 report: 23 October 2024, 23:59
- Part 2 reflection paper: 24 October 2024, 23:59
Groups
Case groups will consist of 5 members each unless special permission is given by the examiner. Students can choose groups themselves in Canvas, the groups need to be formed before, at or immediately after the introductory lecture (the same day the course starts). These groups will do the case project together.
There will also be 5 seminar groups, created by the examiner. These groups consist of one member from each case group. The system is explained in the table below:
|
Case group 1 |
Case group 2 |
Case group 3 |
... |
Case group 10 |
|
|
Seminar group I |
Tony Stark |
Udo Dirkschneider |
Uma Thurman |
... |
Marie Curie |
|
Seminar group II |
Clark Kent |
Anne Wilson |
Bruce Willis |
... |
Albert Einstein |
|
Seminar group III |
Lois Lane |
Joan Jett |
Steve Buschemi |
... |
Stephen Hawking |
|
Seminar group IV |
Natalia Romanoff |
Rob Halford |
Lucy Liu |
... |
Donna Strickland |
|
Seminar group V |
Kara Danvers |
Bruce Dickinson |
Quentin Tarantino |
... |
Alexander Fleming |
Tony, Clark, Lois, Natalia and Kara in Case group 1 will do the case work together. But in the case seminars, they will all belong to different groups. Tony will join Udo, Uma and Marie. Clark will join Anne, Bruce and Albert etc. This means that each seminar group will have one representative from each of the case groups, thereby making sure that all are given the chance to represent their own case group.
Examination
4 Inspera-based assessment sessions where students are required to complete a real-time, in-class Inspera-based quiz on the related week’s topics. These can only be taken in the classroom and are mandatory to attend. Not attending one assessment session will result in failing the course. In case of an illness or another force majeur condition, the make-up for an assessment will be in the form of an oral exam where two examiners will be present in the classroom and evaluate the student together.
Mandatory attendance to guest lectures, seminars and other mandatory tasks is required. You can follow all the mandatory sessions on the Canvas schedule. Any session with a (*) mark is mandatory.
Project work will be completed in groups. Project is graded in two parts, maximum 25 points each where max. 20 points are given to the written report, max. 4 are given to the contribution during case seminars and 1 point is given for the individual reflection paper.
The assessments each give a maximum of 12.5 points (total 50p) and the group work gives a maximum of 50 points.
The threshold for passing each part (assessments in total, Case part 1 and part 2) is 40 %. Minimum of 20 points from the theory part and a minimum of 10 from each part of the case are required to pass the course. Each examining part must be passed and all other mandatory parts fulfilled for completion of the course.
If the students achieve equal to or above 40% of each examination part, then they will complete the course before exam week.
Re-exams will be offered to those who fail the theory part of the course. Students need to contact the examiner if they would like to apply for a re-exam. Failing the case part will require retaking the course.
Grading thresholds for final grade (based on the total points):
40p = 3
60p = 4
80p = 5
Changes made since the last occasion
This course was revised significantly in 2019 when it started to be run in English the first time. In 2020, new big changes came with distant learning. Other big changes include:
- The new course book: Novak et al (2023) Transportation A Global Supply Chain Perspective 10th Edition.
- Two computer-based exams are replaced with 4 assessment sessions in various formats which would help with simultaneous learning.
- Applied sessions with new guest lecturers
- Interactive discussion sessions in every lecture where students are expected to actively participate peer discussions.
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Revision history
v01-09/08/2024 by Ceren Altuntas Vural
Course summary:
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