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IBUS7316 International Supply Chains
Guidelines for Semester Paper
The Assignment
This individual assignment is essentially a critical review of the key literature (mainly academic
journal papers) on a specific topic. Particularly, you are required to write a literature review (LR)
paper that is suitable for consideration by an academic journal for publication. To this end, you
need to do some initial research to select an appropriate topic for your paper. A choice of ten topics
is provided in the next section. After the topic of your semester paper has been decided, you need
to do a comprehensive literature search on the chosen topic and conduct a review (including
summary, critical evaluation, and synthesis) of the key (i.e., most relevant and high-quality) papers
you have found. In total, you are required to review at least 20 relevant papers (mainly (>75%)
from quality journals listed by the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC)), among which
about 15 papers should be published within the last 10 years.
Based on my past teaching experience in this course, it might be the case that some of you do not
have any experience in writing an LR paper, which presents some challenges for you to undertake
this assessment task. Nonetheless, this is also an excellent opportunity for you to learn new skills
such as critical thinking and literature research. Therefore, if you have not written a critical review
type of paper before, it is highly recommended that you read some good tutorials on LR before
starting your research work. You can find many of these types of tutorials through an Internet
search. Below are a couple of websites that provide useful information on how to write an LR:
https://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/writing-well/litreview.html
https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/literature-review-overview
Keep in mind that writing a critical review paper is a learning process. Therefore, if you do not
have much experience in this type of academic writing, an efficient way to improve your required
writing skills is to read good LR papers. It is suggested that you read as many LR papers as you
can and learn how to critique and synthesise relevant papers. You can find many LR articles
published by Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (SCM: IJ) and other reputable
journals. Below is just one sample LR paper that is well-structured and well-written:
Damian Power (2005) “Supply chain management integration and implementation: a literature
review”, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 252-263.
Topics
Choosing an appropriate topic for your semester paper is critically important. Your paper should
target a topic with a manageable scope given the limit of 2,000 words (excluding the title,
abstract, tables and references). For example, a topic such as “Managing waste in supply chains”
would be too broad and thus unsuitable for your semester paper. Often you have to narrow it down
to a more specific topic. For example, a topic such as “Strategies for waste management in food
supply chains” would be more suitable for your paper.
2 This document is authorised for use only by students in IBUS7316 in Semester 1, 2024
Based on my knowledge of the current status of supply chain research and its current and future
trends, I have created ten topics (see below) you can explore for your semester paper (NOTE:
each student can select and refine any of the following ten topics):
1. The impact of e-commerce on retail supply chains (SCs)
2. Shifting to electric vehicles: SC issues and solutions
3. AI in SCM: recent applications and challenges
4. Traceability (or transparency) in global food SCs: challenges and solutions
5. Strategies (or methods or applications) for managing SC risks (or disruptions)
6. Building an agile SC for high-value food products
7. The impact of emerging technologies (e.g., big data, blockchain, the Internet of Things) on
SCM
8. Strategies (or practices) for waste management in apparel (or food or electronics) SCs
9. Recycling used clothes: SC issues and solutions
10. Post-covid SC issues: some insights from the literature
NOTE: If the above-listed topics do not seem to be to your interest, you can always come up with
your own topic based on preliminary research. Nevertheless, you should discuss your idea with
the course coordinator to see if it is suitable for the assessment.
Structure
Generally, your semester paper should be structured in the format of a standard essay which
consists of three components: introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction section, you
are required to identify a particular (narrowly defined) topic for your paper and clearly define
the scope of your literature review (e.g., limited to the key papers that have been published during
the last 7 years if you have found too many relevant papers). Importantly, you need to explain the
main reason(s) for choosing the topic and indicate one or two major theme(s)/issue(s) you have
identified through research and will critique in the main text of your paper.
In the body of the paper, you would normally organise your review around the major
theme(s)/issue(s) (as indicated in the introduction section) based on a critical analysis of the key
papers on the chosen topic. Please note that you should adopt the “synthesis model”, not the
“summary model”, which will be explained in the workshop on semester paper in teaching week
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4. Basically, the “summary” type of LR paper only summarises what each paper says without
identifying common themes across different papers that have been analysed. As a result, the LR
paper reads like an annotated bibliography, which is descriptive and of limited value to the reader.
In contrast, the “synthesis” type of LR paper identifies and develops some common themes based
on the analysis of the literature. Then, the body of the LR paper organises the literature around
those themes and provides a critique (with a focus on critical analysis, critical evaluation and
synthesis) of the papers under each theme. This way, the author’s voice stands out and the paper
reads more like a storyline on the chosen topic, which is more interesting and valuable for the
reader as the author’s critique adds value to the conversational process.
In the conclusion section, you need to highlight the major findings of your literature review and
discuss the implications of those findings. For example, are there any important research questions
or problems that remain unaddressed in the literature?
Your semester paper should NOT exceed 2,000 words (excluding the title, abstract, tables and
references). Generally, your paper should include the following components:
▪ A title page
▪ The title of your paper
▪ An abstract in the required format
▪ Keywords
▪ Introduction
▪ Body of the literature review with headings for major themes/issues and sub-headings for
sub-themes/sub-issues (if needed)
▪ Conclusions
▪ A minimum of 20 references
▪ Appendices (if any)
Format
Your semester paper should be written in a formal academic style, single line space, 12 font size,
page numbering, and in-text referencing followed by an alphabetised reference list. Please note
that the contents of your paper should not be split into two columns and there is no need for a
header and footer.
Regarding the format of in-text citations and references for your paper, you have two options.
You can either adopt the SCM: IJ style or use the American Psychological Association (APA)
style that will be made available under the “Assessment” menu on the Blackboard. Please note
that no matter which style is chosen, you should use the same format of in-text citations and
references throughout your paper. If you choose to use the SCM: IJ style, you can either refer to
papers recently published by SCM: IJ for the format of in-text citations and references or read
SCM: IJ’s Guide to Authors which is accessible via the following link:
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https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/scm?id=scm#author-guidelines
In terms of the format of the abstract, you are required to use the same format that is employed
by SCM: IJ. Generally, an abstract in an SCM: IJ paper includes the following elements:
▪ Purpose
▪ Design/methodology/approach
▪ Findings
▪ Research limitations/implications
▪ Practical implications
▪ Originality/Value
▪ Keywords
To learn how to write an abstract in the SCM: IJ style, again you are strongly recommended to
read as many LR papers published by SCM: IJ as possible.
NOTE: each semester paper should have a title page. The template of the title page for your
semester paper is provided on the next page of this document.
Each student submits ONE copy of his/her semester paper in the WORD format through
Turnitin which is due by 2:00 pm 24 May 2022.
Marking Criteria
Your semester paper will be marked according to the following criteria (Note: a full rubric for this
assessment is provided on pages 6-7):
▪ The overall grasp of the selected topic
▪ Coverage of the literature on the topic
▪ Accuracy and depth of understanding of the literature
▪ Critical analysis of relevant and important papers on the topic
▪ Synthesis of key literature on the identified theme(s) and the topic
▪ Clarity of presentation of the paper
▪ Conformity to the required format
5 This document is authorised for use only by students in IBUS7316 in Semester 1, 2024
THE UNIVERSITY OF
QUEENSLAND
IBUS7316 International Supply Chains
Semester 1, 2024
Course Coordinator
Student Name:
Student ID
The Title of your Semester Paper
:
Word count:
6 This document is authorised for use only by students in IBUS7316 in Semester 1, 2024
IBUS7316 CRITERIA SHEET: Semester Paper
Title of Semester Paper:
Student Name & ID:
Marks: /50
Criteria Outstanding
(85%-100%)
Very Good
(75%-84%)
Good
(65%-74%)
Meets Expectation
(50%-64%)
Below Expectation
(47%-49%)
Well Below
Expectation
(30%-46%)
Serious Fail
(0-29%)
Contents (70%)
Understanding
of the topic
and literature
(15%)
Selection of articles
and organisation of
the paper showed a
thorough
understanding of the
topic and literature.
Selection of articles
and organisation of
the paper showed a
substantial
understanding of the
topic and literature.
Selection of articles
and organisation of
the paper showed a
good understanding
of the topic and
literature.
Selection of articles
and organisation of
the paper showed an
adequate
understanding of the
topic and literature.
Selection of articles
and organisation of
the paper showed an
inadequate
understanding of the
topic and literature.
Selection of articles
and organisation of
the paper showed a
limited
understanding of the
topic and literature.
Little or no
understanding was
shown through
selection of articles
and organisation of
the paper.
Coverage of
contents
(20%)
All major works were
identified, justified
and covered in depth.
Almost all major
works were
identified, justified
and covered in depth.
Most of major works
were identified and
covered in depth.
Most of major works
were identified and
covered in adequate
depth.
Most of major works
were reviewed but not
covered in adequate
depth.
A limited number of
major works were
reviewed and not
covered in depth.
No attempt made to
cover major works
related to the topic
of the paper.
Critical analysis
and evaluation
(20%)
Paper displayed a
comprehensive
critical analysis and
evaluation of the
literature.
Paper displayed a
substantial critical
analysis and
evaluation of the
literature.
Paper displayed a
sound critical
analysis and
evaluation of the
literature.
Paper displayed
adequate critical
analysis and
evaluation of the
literature.
Paper displayed an
inadequate critical
analysis and
evaluation of the
literature.
Paper displayed
limited critical
analysis and
evaluation of the
literature.
No attempt made to
critically analyse or
evaluate relevant
literature of the
topic.

7 This document is authorised for use only by students in IBUS7316 in Semester 1, 2024



Synthesis of
key literature
(15%)

Paper revealed
comprehensive
insight and
originality of
thought.
Paper revealed
substantial insight
and originality of
thought.
Paper provided
reasonable insight on
the topic under
discussion.
Paper provided
adequate insight on
the topic under
discussion.
Paper provided
inadequate insight on
the topic under
discussion.
Paper provided
limited insight on the
topic under
discussion.
No attempt made to
provide insight on
the topic under
discussion.
Communication (30%)
The title of
the paper
(5%)
The title of the paper
is well defined and
justified.
The title of the paper is
clearly defined and
justified.
The title of the
paper is clearly
defined.
The title of the paper
is specific enough.
The title of paper
needs to be narrowed
down or refined.
The title of paper is
too broad to be
treated properly.
No attempt made to
define the title of the
paper clearly.
Structure and
logical flow
(5%)
Excellent structure
and logical flow;
very easy to follow
by using signposts.
Very good structure
and logical flow; easy
to follow by using
signposts.
Good structure and
logical flow; reader
can follow.
Adequate structure
and logical flow;
reader can
understand.
Substandard structure
and logical flow;
difficult to follow
sometimes.
Poor structure and
logical flow; difficult
to follow most of the
time.

No attempt made to
write the paper in a
logical and easy-to-
understand way.
Writing and
language
(5%)

Paper exhibited an
excellent standard of
writing and use of
SCM language.

Paper exhibited a high
standard of writing and
substantial use of SCM
language.

Paper exhibited a
good standard of
writing and use of
SCM language.

Paper exhibited an
adequate level of
writing; use SCM
language often.
Paper exhibited an
inadequate level of
writing; use SCM
language sometimes.
Paper exhibited poor
quality in writing;
use SCM language
occasionally.
No attempt made to
write the paper
clearly and no use of
SCM language.
Citations and
references
(5%)
Acknowledged all
sources; accurately
cited and referenced.
Acknowledged nearly
all sources; correctly
cited and referenced.
Acknowledged most
sources; a few errors
in references.
Acknowledged many
sources; a few errors
in references.
Acknowledged some
sources with several
errors in references.
Acknowledged only
a limited number of
sources with errors.
No attempt made to
acknowledge
sources.
Presentation
and format
(5%)
Excellent standard of
presentation;
conformed to format
of SCM: IJ or APA.
High standard of
presentation;
conformed to format of
SCM: IJ or APA.
Good standard of
presentation; mostly
conformed to SCM:
IJ or APA format.
Acceptable quality of
presentation; a few
errors in conforming
to SCM/APA format.
Inadequate quality of
presentation; several
errors in conforming
to SCM/APA format.
Poor quality of
presentation; many
errors in conforming
to SCM/APA format.
No attempt made to
present the paper in
a professional way.
Basic errors
in writing
(5%)
No errors in spelling
grammar or
punctuation.
A few errors in
spelling, grammar or
punctuation.
Several errors in
spelling, grammar or
punctuation.
A number of errors in
spelling, grammar or
punctuation.
Quite a number of
basic errors in writing.
Many errors in
spelling, grammar or
punctuation.
No attempt made to
avoid basic errors in
writing.
Result: /100
Comments: