Course Content:

This course covers a range of important strategic questions across different transportation industries. Using suitable models from the areas of strategy and management, the participants will learn to evaluate structures, market forces and dynamics across different transportation industries and their impact on corporate strategy. On the basis of this, they will derive precise and well-founded recommendations for action. 

This course offers students the opportunity to engage with current strategic issues and sharpen their skills in strategic analysis and evaluation. Through intensive collaboration and the practical application of the knowledge they have learned, students are optimally preparing for the requirements and challenges of modern corporate management.

The seminar is offered by the Chair of Management (Prof. Dr. Hagen Lindstädt) and will be held by Dr. Jürgen Müller. Dr. Müller worked at McKinsey & Company for 20 years, where he worked in different transportation and infrastructure industries (rail, road, sea, air) on an international level. Since 2015, he is Executive Vice President for Strategy and Rolling stock at the Danish State Railways.

Topics:

1. Deregulation:  Deregulation in the European passenger air and rail markets has resulted in very different market outcomes. Describe, compare and evaluate the underlying structures, the process of deregulation and its outcomes in the two industries and develop recommendations for the future.
2. Concentration: Why is the combined global market share of the top 5 players in container shipping vs. logistics so different? Describe and evaluate the causes and most important implications from the past. How will the topic develop in the future?
3. Modal share: Why ist there such a big difference in modal share between rail freight in the US vs. rail freight in Europe? Describe and evaluate the causes and most important implications from the past. What development do you foresee for the European market?
4. Cyclicaty: Why is there such a high cyclicaty in the global container shipping market? Describe and evaluate the causes and most important implications from the past. How will the topic develop in the future?
5. Vertical integration: Large logistics companies have chosen different strategies with regards to vertical integration between container shipping and land-based logistics (e.g. Maersk /K&N vs. DB Schenker / DSV). Describe and evaluate the resprective rationales and most important implications so far. How will the topic develop in the future?
6. Profitability (I): Why is average industry profitability of freight carriers so different across transport modes (road, rail, air and sea)? Assess the differences. Describe and evaluate the causes and most important implications from the past. How will the topic develop in the future?
7. Profitability (II): "The quickest way to become a millionaire in the airline business is to start out as a billionaire" (Richard Branson). Analyze and discuss the truth of this statement and identify the underlying reasons. On this basis, derive recommendations for new entrants into the airline business.

Structure:

The course begins with an overarching introduction. Topics can be evaluated after the kickoff-meeting until 27.10.2024. Based on this, topics are assigned to groups of two. The main part of the course consists of writing and presenting a seminar paper - including a discussion of the results.

After completion of the course, the students are able to

... analyze complex industry structures and company situations, think strategically and derive well-founded recommendations.

... produce well-structured and convincing written papers that present the analysis and recommendations.

... present and discuss the results in an engaging and convincing manner and actively participate in discussions.

Information on the application process:

The registration for the seminar is open until 02.10.2025, 23:55: https://portal.wiwi.kit.edu/

Please write a short letter of motivation and attach a CV and transcript of records to your application.

You will receive an acceptance or cancellation of your application on 07.10.2024.

An offer must be accepted by 11.10.2024 at the latest.