Resumo O objetivo deste ensaio é discutir, sob o prisma epistemológico e em alguns aspectos ontológicos, os nós das redes logísticas. Analisando-se a literatura técnica e a pratica relacionada a este tema nos últimos 70 anos percebe-se algumas mudanças de paradigmas na definição e na função destes nós. Nesta discussão são considerados três elementos indicativos de rupturas epistemológicas. Serão eles mudanças nos aspectos semióticos, nas relações causais e no contexto. Em termos semióticos, os pontos de término ou de início de um movimento de mercadorias e pessoas sempre foi objeto de estudo e de atenção dos acadêmicos e dos práticos da área de transportes e de logística. Diversas relações causais e modelos explicativos para entendimento e representação de operações logísticas tratam os nós das redes logísticas como componente essencial das cadeias de suprimentos e vem se alterando ao longo do tempo. Em termos de contexto duas são as grandes alterações que condicionam a logística e consequentemente os nós de suas redes. São elas: as diferentes eras econômicas e a alteração do objeto movimentado. Porto, aeroporto, terminal, centro logístico ou plataforma logística: Qual o termo mais adequado? Depende do contexto de sua utilização e do papel exercido pelos mesmos na rede logística, todos são pontos fixos das redes sócio técnica informacionais que garantem os fluxos locais e globais..

Abstract The purpose of this essay is to discuss, under the epistemological prism and some ontological aspects, the nodes of logistics networks. Technical literature and practices related to this theme in the last 70 years to show some paradigm shifts in the definition and function of these nodes. In this discussion, we consider three elements to indicate epistemological ruptures: the semiotic aspects, the causal relationships and the context. In semiotic terms, the end or begin points of a goods and people movement has always been an object of study and attention of academic and practical area of transport and logistics. Several causal relationships and explanatory models for understanding and representation of logistics operations treat the nodes of logistics networks as an essential component of supply chains and has been changing over time. In terms of context there are two major changes that affect logistics and hence nodes of their networks. They are: the different economic eras and the transformation of object moved. Port, airport, terminal, logistics center or logistics platform: What is the most appropriate term? It depends on the context of their use and the role played in logistics network, all are fixed points of networks that ensure local and global flows.

Abstract The temperature of refrigerated products along the cold chain must be kept within pre-defined limits to ensure adequate safety levels and high product quality. Because temperature largely influences microbial activities, the continuous monitoring of the time-temperature history over the distribution process usually allows for the adequate control of the product quality along both short- and medium-distance distribution routes. Time-Temperature Indicators (TTI) are composed of temperature measurements taken at various time intervals and are used to feed analytic models that monitor the impacts of temperature on product quality. Process Capability Indices (PCI), however, are calculated using TTI series to evaluate whether the thermal characteristics of the process are within the specified range. In this application, a refrigerated food delivery route is investigated using a simulated annealing algorithm that considers alternative delivery schemes. The objective of this investigation is to minimize the distance traveled while maintaining the vehicle temperature within the prescribed capability level.

The objective of this study is to investigate a phenomenon that occurs in Brazil, specifically the spike in demand at the end of the sales period, known as the hockey stick phenomenon. This analysis will encompass the causes as well as the impacts of this phenomenon, in a way that allows alternative policies to be evaluated. Data was collected from a Brazilian branch of a large multinational in the non-durable consumer goods industry and in semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face with executives of 26 clients. The data was used to generate a continuous simulation model based on the methods of systems dynamics. The findings showed that the phenomenon negatively impacted the manufacturer’s financial performance in the long term and indicated required changes necessary to remediate the phenomenon. This is an empirical study on the hockey stick phenomenon, a problem that affects diverse companies in Brazil. The study showed that companies should not assume the hockey stick phenomenon to be an exogenous problem; it showed that there are policies able to improve financial performance; and it provided ideas regarding ways to carry out the change process.

O Brasil sediará, em 2014, a Copa do Mundo de Futebol: evento mundial que ocorre a cada quatro anos e é responsável pela movimentação de um grande número de pessoas. A preparação para receber a Copa exige do país-sede grandes investimentos em infraestruturas que muitas vezes permanecem subutilizadas após o evento. O objetivo do trabalho é avaliar se as infraestruturas – estádios e sistemas de transporte – construídas para as copas da Alemanha, África do Sul e Brasil constituem legado positivo para os países-sede. A metodologia utilizada foi o estudo de casos desenvolvido a partir de dados secundários. O trabalho mostrou que (1) no caso do Brasil, os investimentos em sistemas de transporte não atendem as reais necessidades das cidades-sede e (2) diferentemente da Alemanha, na África do Sul os estádios estão em grande parte subutilizados e com dificuldade para serem mantidos. As perspectivas para o Brasil também não são boas e há grandes chances de que o país enfrente problemas semelhantes aos da África do Sul.

Brazil will host the FIFA World Cup in 2014, which is a worldwide event that occurs every four years and is responsible for moving a large number of people.The preparation to host the World Cup requires high investments in infrastructure that often remains underutilized after the event. The objective of this research is to evaluate whether the infrastructure (stadiums and transport systems) built for the Germany, South Africa and Brazil World Cups are positive legacies for the host countries. The methodology was case study, which was developed from secondary data. The study showed that (1) in Brazil, investments in transport ation systems do not meet the host cities’ real needs, and (2) unlike what happened in Germany, in South Africa stadiums are underutilized, and there are difficulties to maintain them. The perspectives to Brazil are not good and there are great chances that the country will face problems that are similar to those of South Africa.