## 4 Results
### Causal Loop Diagram Creation  
For the variables analyzed in the previous step, a causal diagram related to variable behavior and interaction was created for the company's distribution process, as shown in Figure 2.  
The causal loop diagram shows the variables that are interrelated at the moment of instigating the wholesale and retail demand distribution process. The influence of the interaction among variables is depicted by the symbols positive (+)--defining a reinforcement variable--and negative (-)--defining a balancing variable. The diagram has five feedback loops that are responsible for balancing the system (B1, B2 is B1-2, B3, B4, and B5). Each loop is explained according to its relationship and conditions; B refers to the balancing loop.  
The first causal loop is B1-B2 is B1-2, which shows the relationship among warehouse products, demand, distribution, product delivery, routes, costs, profit, investments, number of trucks, distribution capacity and clients; the B1 loop closes with wholesale demand, and at the same time, B2 closes the loop with retail demand. B3 is the relationship between warehouse products and distribution process,  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{142.3 pt} p{142.3 pt}} \hline \hline
**Variable** & **Description** \\ \hline Vehicle capacity & Products—measured in kilograms—which the product delivery vehicle unit is capable of transporting. It also measures the capacity of the number of packages that the vehicle is able to transport. \\ \hline Capacity usage & Percentage that represents the vehicle capacity usage measured in kilograms or in food packages. \\ \hline Truck loading time & Time—measured in hours—which represents the time it takes the distributor to prepare the order to be delivered. \\ \hline Truck unloading time & Time—measured in hours—which represents the time it takes the distributor to deliver the products to the customer. \\ \hline Distance traveled per route & Kilometers traveled by the delivery vehicle unit in each distribution route. \\ \hline Average speed per hour & Average speed—measured in kilometers per hour—at which the delivery truck travels. \\ \hline Yield & Number of kilometers that a liter of diesel can be covered in the truck. \\ \hline Diesel price & Cost related to purchasing a liter of diesel. \\ \hline Distributor operation time & Time in which the distributor was busy in product delivery tasks. \\ \hline Maintenance cost & Vehicle maintenance cost per kilometer traveled. \\ \hline Maintenance to vehicle units & Number of kilometers at which the distribution vehicle unit will require maintenance. \\ \hline Tire wearing costs & Cost related to vehicle tire wear and tear per kilometer traveled. \\ \hline Tire performance & Number of kilometers that the tires may travel before they need to be replaced. \\ \hline Toll costs & Cost incurred when a distribution toll road is chosen. \\ \hline Distributor salary & Payment granted to the distributor for the time required to deliver a customer’s order. \\ \hline Total cost per trip & Cost related to the total expenditure per trip. \\ \hline Total profit per trip & Financial benefit referred in money per delivery. \\ \hline Customer demand & The number of products required per customer in each trip, which can be the demand of wholesale or retail products. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 3: Variable and parameter description considered in the simulation dynamics model.  
and B4 is the relationship between warehouse products and production package. Finally, B5 is the relationship between delivery routes and costs.