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Title Product repair in a circular economy: Exploring public repair behavior from a systems perspective
ID_Doc 20966
Authors Parajuly, K; Green, J; Richter, J; Johnson, M; Rückschloss, J; Peeters, J; Kuehr, R; Fitzpatrick, C
Title Product repair in a circular economy: Exploring public repair behavior from a systems perspective
Year 2024
Published Journal Of Industrial Ecology, 28, 1
DOI 10.1111/jiec.13451
Abstract Repair practices are driven not only by consumers' internal motivation, but also by external infrastructural, social including cultural, financial, and political factors. We explore these factors with the goal of understanding the public repair of electrical and electronic products (e-products) from a systems perspective to help devise appropriate change interventions. We document (a) behavioral aspects, (b) techno-economic factors, and (c) intervention strategies aimed at promoting repair practices. To gauge this, a survey was administered among 922 volunteers across 14 countries with experience in repairing e-products at public repair events. Findings suggest that while behavioral constructs including personal values, beliefs, and attitudes toward product repair are the main proximal drivers of intention to repair, the ability to repair plays an important role. Further, these individual factors are influenced by the techno-economic settings such as access to repair services, economic benefits, and the ease of product repair stands out as the key enablers for product lifetime extension. As per intervention strategies, the results highlight economic incentives, regulatory requirements, and public awareness as the key drivers. However, influencing repair behavior directly may not always be the most effective strategy. New initiatives to improve involvement should focus on more repairable products, exploiting the innovative potentials of commercial as well as non-profit repair initiatives, education, and supporting the development of skills among volunteer repairers.
Author Keywords attitude; consumer behavior; electrical and electronic equipment; industrial ecology; repair cafe; right to repair
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:001086216000001
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/jiec.13451
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