Low new product prices undermine repair economics and consumer motivation.

Why It Matters

Designers and manufacturers must consider the entire product lifecycle, including the economic incentives for repair. When new products are cheaper than repairs, the drive towards disposability is amplified, contradicting sustainability goals.

Key Finding

The study found that cheap, low-quality new products make repair uneconomical for businesses and less appealing for consumers, despite a high rate of DIY repairs. A shortage of skilled repair technicians is also a concern.

Key Findings

• A significant proportion of repairs are performed by consumers themselves.
• The primary barrier to repair is the low price of new products, which are often of poor quality.
• Low profitability is a major issue for repair businesses, and consumer motivation for repair is also reduced.
• Access to skilled repair personnel is a growing challenge for the repair industry.
• Both consumers and the industry agree that better quality new products would encourage longer product lifespans and more profitable repairs.

Research Evidence

Aim: To identify the key drivers and barriers for repair from both consumer and commercial repair industry perspectives to understand how repair rates can be increased for household appliances, mobile phones, and clothing.

Method: Mixed-methods research combining a quantitative consumer survey and qualitative interviews with industry professionals.

Procedure: A survey was administered to 1196 consumers in Norway, and 15 qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals working in the commercial repair sector for consumer goods.

Sample Size: 1196 survey respondents, 15 interviewees

Context: Consumer goods repair market (household appliances, mobile phones, clothing) in Norway.

Design Principle

Design for longevity and repairability by considering the economic and motivational factors influencing post-purchase product care.

How to Apply

When designing new products, conduct a lifecycle cost analysis that includes realistic repair costs and potential lifespan extensions. Explore modular design principles that facilitate easier component replacement.

Limitations

The study was conducted in Norway, and findings may not be directly generalizable to other regions with different market conditions, consumer behaviors, or regulatory frameworks.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: New products are often so cheap and not very good that it's not worth fixing old ones, which is bad for the environment. We need better quality, longer-lasting products to make repair a good option.

Why This Matters: Understanding the economic and motivational barriers to repair helps designers create products that are more sustainable and less likely to be discarded prematurely, aligning with circular economy principles.

Critical Thinking: How can design innovations in materials or manufacturing processes reduce the cost of repair, making it more competitive with the purchase of new, low-cost items?

IA-Ready Paragraph: Research indicates that the low cost and often inferior quality of new consumer goods significantly hinder the economic viability and consumer motivation for repair, a critical aspect of extending product lifespans and promoting a circular economy. This economic imbalance, coupled with challenges in accessing skilled repair personnel, suggests that design efforts should prioritize durability and repairability to create value beyond initial purchase and encourage sustainable consumption patterns.

Project Tips

• When evaluating design choices, consider the cost of replacement versus the cost of repair for the end-user.
• Investigate the availability and cost of spare parts as part of your design process.
• Research consumer attitudes towards repair and longevity in your target market.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the economic feasibility of repair in your design project's evaluation or justification.
• Use the findings to support arguments for designing products with a longer intended lifespan.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of the economic factors that influence product lifecycles beyond initial purchase.
• Connect design decisions to broader sustainability goals, such as reducing waste through repair.

Independent Variable: ["Price of new products","Quality of new products"]

Dependent Variable: ["Consumer willingness to repair","Profitability of repair businesses","Rate of repair"]

Controlled Variables: ["Type of product (appliance, phone, clothing)","Geographic location (Norway)","Availability of repair services"]

Strengths

• Combines quantitative consumer data with qualitative industry insights.
• Addresses a critical aspect of sustainability (product lifespan and repair).

Critical Questions

• To what extent do consumer warranty and complaint rights influence repair decisions?
• What role can manufacturers play in subsidizing or facilitating repairs to offset the cost disadvantage of new products?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the potential for a modular design approach in a specific product category to simplify repairs and extend product life, using this research as a basis for the economic justification.
• Develop a business model proposal for a repair service that addresses the profitability challenges identified in this study.

Source

Increasing repair of household appliances, mobile phones and clothing: Experiences from consumers and the repair industry · Journal of Cleaner Production · 2020 · 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125349