Foundations of Global Logistics

This unit introduces core concepts and historical context of global logistics and supply chain management, including manufacturing abroad, logistics service providers, transportation modes, and e-commerce case studies. Students will develop foundational skills in inventory and risk management, regulatory and labor compliance, environmental and ethical considerations, and basic humanitarian/disaster relief logistics to prepare for more advanced pathway units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evolution and structural components of global logistics—including manufacturing in foreign locations, logistics service providers, transportation modes, distribution networks, and e-commerce examples—by summarizing case study findings and comparing alternative models
• Apply risk-management and environmental stewardship principles to design inventory, distribution, and point-of-sale strategies that identify potential threats and specify at least three mitigation actions for given scenarios
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and justify human resource and compliance decisions by selecting an internal or external labor model, integrating applicable labor laws and cultural/language adaptations, and producing a staffing outline for an international operation
• Evaluate humanitarian and disaster relief logistics needs by developing a deployment plan that addresses corporate commitment, team roles, resource staging, and coordination with industry bodies (e.g., SOLE) for a provided disaster scenario