Advanced Diploma in Logistics & Transport

This unit looks at the resource utilisation and how managers can make the most of the limited resources available to them. Stakeholder and relationship mapping will clarify the different priorities in the competition for resources. Cost benefit analysis is examined in order to make strategic decisions and investment appraisal, with the principles of risk being considered. The final element in this unit considers the various types of competition and their impact; it also examines contingency planning and trade-offs between stakeholders. The implication of performance on an organisation's supply chain is explored.

The first element of this unit examines organisational culture in a wider environment, with the internal and external factors that influence the cultures in organisations. The section on leadership describes and investigates a number of theoretical and practical aspects of leadership in the work environment. There is also a review of the alternative styles that a leader can utilise in different situations. Collaboration is examined in the global environment, as are the benefits and risks of intra-organisational working to achieve common goals and organisational improvements. The final element of this unit looks at ethics. Ethical, or unethical, business practices usually reflect the values and beliefs of the organisational culture; the links between what the organisation says and what it does is examined, as are the legal implications.

This unit is concerned with the important subject of strategic planning, taken from an organisational, intra-organisational and a global perspective. The first element is concerned with examining organisational models and looking at how influences inside and outside the organisation can affect business strategy. Risk and decision-making models are examined in some depth. Other elements look at forecasting, customer service and change.

The first element in this unit looks at how organisations need to become more aware of strategic performance and to integrate if they are to achieve the aim of operating on a global scale. Tools and techniques are examined that can assist in producing a plan to improve intra-organisational performance. Other elements look at strategic supply and the opportunities to collaborate between organisations, organisational performance and the use of e-technology in the implementation of organisational strategies. A number of tools and techniques will be evaluated that enhance internal and external business integration.

The unit aims to develop candidates' ability to apply research methods and statistical techniques to logistics organisations and to enable them to use both qualitative and quantitative methods in problem analysis and solving. The professional project will develop the candidate's skills in undertaking a structured and methodical research project involving production of a substantial body of work (8,000 -10,000 words) which has been instigated, developed and produced as a consequence of their own initiative, using in-company research and/or industrial liaison and which offers opportunities for specialism. In this unit candidates will be encouraged to use work-based research to realise the requisite requirements for this module. Each candidate can base their project on their own work based environment, or using a relationship with a company or organisation.