Online ExpertTrack in Business & Management

International Logistics

Explore the importance of international logistics and develop your understanding of logistics management at a strategic level.

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Coventry UniversityCoventry University

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Understand international logistics and its management strategies

This ExpertTrack from Coventry University will help you develop your skills and knowledge of international logistics.

You’ll discover the key pillars of the process and delve into the physical distribution channels used to deliver goods in industrial and retail contexts.

You’ll also explore planning at a strategic level and learn how to determine the best logistics processes for your business.

Understand the opportunities and challenges involved in international logistics

The increase in the international logistics trade means many opportunities and threats can arise for logistics organisations competing in the international market.

This ExpertTrack will help you discover how best to manage these risks and ensure logistics quality as a requirement.

Analyse multimodal transport

To understand which mode of transport is best suited to your business, you’ll learn about multimodal transport and its characteristics, together with mode selection criteria.

With a focus on procurement logistics, you’ll explore container shipping and its elements, as well as sourcing and procurement.

You’ll also discover whether ICT applications will be an advantage or disadvantage to your order management systems.

Understand inventory management

Inventory concepts are key for supporting a more efficient and cost-effective approach to your management. You’ll explore Economic Order Quantity to minimise your inventory costs and analyse the bullwhip effect to help reduce impacts on your supply chain.

Reduce waste in your supply chain with lean logistics

Alongside experts at Coventry University, you’ll identify lean logistics and decision-making procedures in distribution networks to help eliminate waste in your supply chain.

You’ll explore the concept of ‘lean’ and how to use its tools and principles to benefit your business.

Discover sustainable logistics

The final section of the course explores sustainability and how to make your logistics processes more environmentally friendly.

You’ll learn how you can introduce sustainability into your procedures to create green logistics, as well as how you can overcome the challenges sustainability may bring to your supply chain.

Upon successful completion of this ExpertTrack, you should be able to analyse and critically evaluate a range of logistics practices applied across different industries and geographical situations.

You’ll be able to examine the implications of inventory holding, and critically evaluate and select an appropriate transport mode strategy for an organisation.

Key skills you will learn

  • International logistics
  • Logistics
  • Supply chain management
  • Green logistics
  • Inventory management
  • Multimodal transport
  • Logistics management

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...

  • Identify and describe a range of logistics practices applied across different industries and national contexts
  • Examine the implications of an inventory holding and replenishment policy when considering other logistics functions and business constraints
  • Evaluate and select an appropriate transport mode strategy for an organisation, considering both national and international distribution requirements

Experience required

You don’t need any prior knowledge to join this introductory ExpertTrack, simply an interest in international logistics.

Getting started

This ExpertTrack is for you if you would like to explore the importance of international logistics at a strategic level.

You may be currently working in a logistical role or looking to pursue a career in logistics, inventory management or supply chain management.

ExpertTrack course overview

  • Course 1

    Understand the stages of international logistics management and the associated advantages and risks.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      What is International Logistics?
      • Welcome
      • Overview of logistics
      • Main activities and elements
      • International trade and international logistics
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      Value, Service, Quality and Time
      • Welcome back
      • Customer value
      • Quality
      • Customer service
      • Lead time
      • Measuring logistics
      • Order qualifiers and winners
      • A summary of the course
  • Course 2

    Explore different transportation modes, their characteristics, and sourcing and procurement.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Modes of Transportation
      • Welcome to Short Course 2
      • Modes of transport in logistics operations
      • How to select a mode of transport
      • Container shipping
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      Transactions, Technology and Order Management
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Incoterms
      • Procurement logistics
      • Order management and technology
      • A summary of the week and short course
  • Course 3

    Explore the key principles of inventory management and discover savings and efficiencies through better inventory management.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Inventory management
      • Welcome to Short Course 3
      • Introduction to inventory
      • Principles of inventory management
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      Economic Ordering
      • Welcome back
      • Economic Order Quantity
      • Review systems and the Bullwhip Effect
      • VMI and ECR
      • Test your understanding
      • Summary of the week
  • Course 4

    Evaluate factors that impact decision-making in distribution networks and develop your knowledge of lean logistics.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Lean logistics
      • Welcome to Short Course 4
      • An introduction to 'lean'
      • Practical application of lean
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      Facility location and distribution networks
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Facility location
      • Distribution networks
      • A summary of the week and short course
  • Course 5

    Enhance your understanding of the concept of sustainability, its drivers and the barriers to sustainable logistics.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Logistics Providers and Reverse Logistics
      • Welcome to Short Course 5
      • Logistics providers
      • Reverse Logistics
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      Sustainable Logistics
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Introduction to sustainability
      • Sustainability and logistics
      • A summary of the week and short course

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

  • Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
  • Complete each course and pass assessments.
  • Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
  • Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
  • Make your career dreams a reality.

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How ExpertTracks work

Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.

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World-class learning with Coventry University

Coventry secured 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.

  • Established

    1992
  • Location

    Coventry

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