Abstract  Purpose – The purpose of the study is to investigate how distribution centers can prevent delays to achieve higher on-time delivery.  To fulfill the purpose of the study three study questions have been conducted:  • What factors causes delays in distribution centers?  • Why do delays occur in distribution centers?  • How can distribution centers prevent delays to achieve higher on-time delivery?  Method – A qualitative approach has been used throughout the study to enable fulfilment of the study´s purpose. The study has implemented a case study at a distribution center to investigate what factors causes delays. A theoretical framework that attends the research areas of on-time delivery, distribution centers function, operational problems and classification of factors was used to conduct suggestions addressing how businesses can prevent delays.  Findings – The study emphasizes that all delays that effect on-time delivery could be classified as individual- or system dependent. The study suggests that businesses should focus on preventing delays classified as system dependent, since they may also prevent individual dependent delays. By improving education and prioritize development of education and standards businesses should be able to improve their on-time delivery.  Implications – The study maps factors that causes delays in distribution centers. Categorization and classification could be used to identify where factors occur and explain their dependencies. This study focuses on how on-time delivery is affected by distribution centers performance. The study indicates the possibility to applicate already presented theories in this context but also that categorization and classification of factors is possible. Furthermore, the study has identified problems due to non-used standards, even though they are available for the user.  Limitations – The delimitations of the study mark the study’s focus to stocked goods in distribution centers and do not attend economic aspects of on-time delivery.  Key words: On-time delivery, distribution centers, delays, individual dependent, system dependent / Sammanfattning  Syfte – Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur distributionscentraler kan förhindra förseningar för att uppnå högre leveransprecision.  För att uppfylla syftet har tre frågeställningar utformats:  • Vilka faktorer orsakar förseningar i distributionscentraler?  • Varför uppstår förseningar i distributionscentraler?  • Hur kan distributionscentraler förhindra förseningar för att uppnå högre leverans-precision?  Metod – För att uppnå syftet har studien använt en kvalitativ ansats där en fallstudie har genomförts på en distributionscentral i syfte att undersöka vilka faktorer som kan orsaka förseningar. Ett teoretiskt ramverk som behandlar leveransprecision, distributionscentralers funktion, verksamhetsproblem och klassificering av faktorer har använts för att ta fram förslag på hur distributionscentraler kan förhindra faktorer som orsakar förseningar.  Resultat – Studien indikerar att alla identifierade faktorer som orsakar förseningar och därmed påverkar leveransprecision kan vara antingen individ- eller systemberoende. Studien föreslår att verksamheter bör fokusera på att förhindra systemberoende faktorer som orsakar förseningar eftersom de även kan förhindra individberoende förseningar. Studien föreslår; genom att förbättra utbildning samt prioritera utveckling av utbildning och standarder skulle verksamheters leveransprecision kunna öka.  Implikationer – Det har kartlagts faktorer som kan orsaka förseningar i distributions-centraler. Kategoriseringen tillsammans med klassificering kan användas för att identifiera var faktorer uppstår och vad de beror på. Kategoriseringen tillsammans med klassificering kan användas för att identifiera var faktorer uppstår och vad de beror på. Vidare identifierar studien problem på grund av att standarder inte används, trots att de finns tillgängliga för användare.  Begränsningar – Studien är avgränsad till att endast studera produkter som lagerförs i distributionscentraler och tar inte hänsyn till ekonomiska aspekter kopplat till leverans-precision.  Nyckelord: Leveransprecision, distributionscentraler, förseningar, individberoende, systemberoende.

[pt] A logística reversa tem apresentado uma crescente importância para as empresas na atualidade. Os centros de distribuição devem estar estruturados para gerenciar esse processo, a fim de obter vantagens de natureza econômica, mercadológica e ambiental. Nesse estudo, procurou-se observar de que modo o fluxo reverso dos bens de pós-venda tem sido percebido e efetivado no âmbito de centros de distribuição de lojas de departamento. Desenvolve-se uma revisão bibliográfica, abordando diversos aspectos relacionados ao tema, para definir uma visão consistente e atualizada do tema. Primeiramente, são discutidas as características dos centros de distribuição, especificamente sua importância no sistema logístico, definições, funções básicas, layouts, vantagens na sua adoção, alternativas de armazenagem e um panorama de sua utilização nos diferentes segmentos de mercado. Logo após, são analisados os componentes da logística reversa, como a evolução dos conceitos, razões para sua crescente importância, fluxos dos bens de pós-venda e pós-consumo, motivos e destinos do retorno, a rede de distribuição reversa, os elementos chave dos bens de pós-venda, as dificuldades do sistema, exemplos da logística reversa nos centros de distribuição e a caracterização da logística reversa nos EUA baseada em uma pesquisa realizada em 1999. E, a partir do estudo de casos, envolvendo três empresas, são desenvolvidas considerações sobre o ambiente competitivo, importância e efetivação dos fluxos reversos existentes em cada empresa, procurando capturar o posicionamento das mesmas em relação à logística reversa. / [en] Nowadays, the reverse logistics is presenting an increasing importance in the business activities. The distribution centers must be so structured as to manage the reverse flows to obtain advantages of economic, marketing and environmental nature. The objective of this study is to evaluate how the reverse flow is been perceived and used by managers of department store companies. Initially, a literature search was developed in order to define a consistent and updated review of the distribution centers - their importance in the logistics processes, including definitions, basic functions, layouts, advantages of implementation, warehousing alternatives and an overview of its utilization in different market segments. In addition, important aspects of the reverse logistics are reviewed such as evolution, determinants, post-sale and post- consumption flows of goods, final destination, key elements of the reverse logistics, difficulties of the system, examples of reverse flows in the distribution centers and the characterization of reverse logistics in the USA based on a 1999 research. Finally, based on a field work involving three department store companies, some patterns related to the competitive environment, to management priorities, to the importance of the reverse flows in each company and to the manager`s perspective as well have been identified.

En todo el mundo, las explotaciones petroleras por lo general están ubicadas en espacios alejados de las ciudades o centros de procesamiento. Esa condición plantea un problema muy interesante referente al transporte del crudo de los centros de extracción a los centros de refinamiento o comercialización y el Perú no escapa a esta problemática. Por otro lado, se encuentran desafíos para la utilización del oleoducto de manera eficiente donde se permita mejorar la competitividad del sector hidrocarburos. Por ello, en la presente investigación estudiaremos los desafíos que enfrenta el Oleoducto Norperuano (ONP) como parte de la cadena logística del crudo de petróleo de los campos de la Amazonía Peruana. El objetivo de la investigación es conocer si el ONP sigue siendo la mejor alternativa logística para el transporte de crudo de petróleo de los campos petrolíferos ubicados en la Amazonía peruana. A tal efecto se ha realizado una investigación cualitativa, en la cual se han utilizado las opiniones de expertos en el área petrolera, mediante la realización de entrevistas personalizadas y a profundidad. Los resultados obtenidos del trabajo de investigación se presentan de la siguiente manera: el ONP es la mejor y más importante alternativa para el transporte del crudo de la Amazonía a los centros de refinación, comercialización y posterior exportación. También se hace necesario implementar programas de mantenimiento preventivo y correctivo con el fin de garantizar su funcionalidad. / Around the world, oil fields are usually located in spaces far from cities or remote areas. This condition generated a very interesting problem regarding the transportation of oil crude from the extraction centers to the refining or commercialization centers, and Peru does not escape of this problem. On the other hand, there are challenges for the efficient use of the pipeline where it is possible to improve the competitiveness of the hydrocarbon sector. Therefore, in this research we will study the challenges faced by the North Peruvian Pipeline (ONP) as part of the oil crude logistics chain from the fields of the Peruvian Amazon. The objective of the research is to know if the ONP can be consider the best logistical alternative for the transportation of crude oil from the oil fields located in the Peruvian Amazon. To this end, a qualitative investigation has been carried out, in which the opinions of experts in the oil field have been used, through personalized and in-depth interviews. The results obtained from the research work are presented as follows: the ONP is the best and most important alternative for transporting crude from the Amazon to refining, marketing and subsequent export centers. It is also necessary to implement preventive and corrective maintenance programs in order to guarantee its functionality. / Tesis