Your assessment for this module consists of two individual pieces of assessment, one for logistics management (Coursework B) and another for supply chain management (Coursework A). Please see below the coursework briefs for two assessment pieces (Coursework A and Coursework B) below.
You MUST answer BOTH the assessments (Coursework A and Coursework B). The weightage for each assessment is 50%.
Guidance for each assessment is provided here.
While submitting your assessments, both the assessments must be combined into one piece and be submitted to the module DLE site.
If you have any query on your assessments, please contact the module assessment team (Dr Mark Bennett and Dr Pandian).
Wishing you good luck!
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Coursework – B
MODULE: MAR7006 – International Logistics and Supply Chain Management
COURSEWORK B: This piece (coursework – B) represents 50% of your overall module grade.
FORMAT: Report
LENGTH: 3000 words ± 10% (which excludes abstract, tables, figures, conceptual framework diagram, references, and appendices).
TYPOGRAPHY: Arial, size 11 or 12, 1½ line spacing, with justified margins. Pages should be numbered at the bottom right.
REFERENCING: Harvard referencing style should be used, and a minimum of twenty academic sources must be referenced.
DEADLINE: 25 April 2024; 1500 hrs UK Time.
SUBMISSION: Your coursework must be submitted as one Microsoft Word or PDF document, online at the MAR7006 DLE website.
Task (100 marks)
In the field of logistics or supply chain management, create a model using linear programming, integer programming, or non-linear programming in Microsoft Excel. Your model should include at least four decision variables and three constraints, with the aim of either maximizing or minimizing the objective function. Endeavor to use realistic data for constraints, profit margins, or costs, preferably sourced from existing, published materials. Alongside the Excel model, prepare a comprehensive 3000-word report. This analytical report should provide a detailed background and overview of the model as well as thoroughly assessing the outcomes generated by the model. Finally, the report should offer insightful recommendations for potential improvements to the model.
| LOGISTICS AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING (100 marks) (3000 words) | ||||||
| Marking criteria | Fail | Marginal fail | Pass | Merit | Distinction | Distinction |
| 0%-39% | 40%-49% | 50%-59% | 60%-69% | 70%-85% | 86%-100% | |
| Introduction (5 marks) | Lacks clear purpose, background; irrelevant to the task. | Basic purpose and background; some relevance to the task. | Clear purpose and background; relevant to the task. | Comprehensive and engaging introduction; highly relevant. | Exceptionally clear, engaging, relevant; sets stage perfectly. | Outstanding introduction; insightful, perfectly contextualized. |
| Critical evaluation of linear programming model (35 marks) | Nothing of academic value. | No attempt at critical evaluation – the optimization model is simply described. | Only a limited attempt made at critical evaluation. | Good, critical evaluation of the optimization model is provided. Strengths and maybe limitations considered. | Very good, critical evaluation of the optimization model – strengths and limitations are considered. | Excellent, critical evaluation of the optimization model – strengths and limitations considered and some comparisons with other similar models within the same context are made. |
| Analysis of results produced by linear or integer programming model (35 marks) | No relevant analysis provided. | No attempt to analyse data contained in the answer report, limits report and sensitivity report. | Only partial analysis of data contained in the answer report, limits report and sensitivity report are provided. | Good analysis of data contained in the answer report, limits report and sensitivity report, which also considers implications to the chosen context. | Very good, critical analysis of the data contained in the answer report, limits report and sensitivity report, in addition to providing substantiated and logical analysis to the chosen context. | Excellent analysis of the data contained in the answer report, limits report and sensitivity report is given, which also compares results against similar existing models within the same context. |
| Recommendations for improving the linear programming model (20 marks) | No recommendations are provided. | Limited attempt at recommendations are made, but overall they are very poor and incomplete. | Weak recommendations which are not detailed enough and appear more like a conclusion. | Satisfactory recommendations which should only consider all of the following in detail: Choice of variables | Realistic recommendations that consider all of the following in detail: Choice of variables | Excellent, recommendations that are sensible and consider all of the following in detail: Choice of variablesLimitations of using Excel |
| Limitations of using Excel | Limitations of using | Consequences of | ||||
| Consequences of implementing recommendations | Excel Consequences of implementing recommendationsPlus at least two more areas not mentioned above. | implementing recommendations Plus at least four more areas not mentioned above. | ||||
| Presentation and referencing (5 marks) | Disorganized; numerous errors in grammar/spelling. Poor or no referencing; many inaccuracies. | Somewhat organized; frequent errors in grammar/spelling. Basic referencing; some inaccuracies. | Organized; some errors in grammar/spelling. Adequate referencing; generally accurate. | Well-organized; few errors in grammar/spelling. Good referencing; mostly accurate and consistent. | Exceptionally well- organized; error-free grammar and spelling. Excellent, accurate, and consistent referencing. | Exemplary presentation; perfect grammar, spelling, and format. Outstanding referencing; impeccable and highly relevant. |