Editorial

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4 pages, 140 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Product Design and Consumer Behaviour in a Circular Economy

by Ruth Mugge

Sustainability 2018, 10(10), 3704; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10103704 - 16 Oct 2018

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6745

Abstract

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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

20 pages, 3338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Care and Production of Clothing in Norwegian Homes: Environmental Implications of Mending and Making Practices

by Kirsi Laitala and Ingun Grimstad Klepp

Sustainability 2018, 10(8), 2899; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10082899 - 15 Aug 2018

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 7481

Abstract

Mending, re-design, and altering are alternatives for prolonging the use period of clothing. It is a common assumption that nobody mends clothing anymore in Western societies. This paper studies Norwegian consumers’ clothing mending and making practices. We ask how common the different mending [...] Read more.

Mending, re-design, and altering are alternatives for prolonging the use period of clothing. It is a common assumption that nobody mends clothing anymore in Western societies. This paper studies Norwegian consumers’ clothing mending and making practices. We ask how common the different mending and making activities are, has this changed during the past several years, who are the clothing menders and makers, and further, are these practices related to consumers’ environmental opinions? We build on three quantitative surveys in Norway from 2010, 2011, and 2017. Many consumers do mend their clothing at least occasionally, especially the simpler tasks, such as sewing on a button and fixing an unravelled seam. Women and the elderly are more active in making and mending, whereas the young are bit more likely to make something new out of old clothing. The mending activities were correlated with respondents’ environmental opinions. Mending clothes is more common than is usually assumed. Knowledge of current practices and barriers for clothing mending enables us to recommend measures that can potentially increase the use time of clothing. These results can be beneficial in clothing design, home economics, and crafts education as well as understanding consumer behavior and making policies that aim at environmental improvements within clothing consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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25 pages, 925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consumption in the Circular Economy: A Literature Review

by Juana Camacho-Otero, Casper Boks and Ida Nilstad Pettersen

Sustainability 2018, 10(8), 2758; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10082758 - 04 Aug 2018

Cited by 249 | Viewed by 33300

Abstract

A circular economy (CE) aims at decoupling value creation from waste generation and resource use by radically transforming production and consumption systems. Recent reviews on the topic of the circular economy have indicated that cultural barriers are a significant factor hindering the diffusion [...] Read more.

A circular economy (CE) aims at decoupling value creation from waste generation and resource use by radically transforming production and consumption systems. Recent reviews on the topic of the circular economy have indicated that cultural barriers are a significant factor hindering the diffusion of so-called ‘circular’ business models, particularly the lack of consumer—or user—acceptance. However, none of them has provided an overview of the existing literature addressing such issues that can help academics and practitioners better understand consumption considerations when addressing the circular economy. Motivated by these observations, this paper presents the results of a literature review that summarises and discusses insights from 111 articles in terms of the problem area, theoretical approaches, methods, and tools that have been used to collect and analyse data, the main issues, and identified research gaps. The results show that most of the existing scientific work on the circular economy and circular solutions addressing consumption has focussed on identifying factors that drive or hinder the consumption of circular solutions. A smaller but expanding set of articles has focussed on offering insights into the nature, meaning, and dynamics of consumption in the context of the circular economy. According to this set of articles, consumption in the circular economy is anonymous, connected, political, uncertain, and based on multiple values, not only utility. A smaller set of papers has explored the integration of user and consumer perspectives into design processes. Although these contributions are relevant, opportunities for further research are still open, particularly regarding socio-material and cultural aspects of consumption in the context of the circular economy, and the role of digitalisation. In addition, more work could be done regarding strategies to foster not only acceptance but also the adoption and diffusion of the circular economy. Based on the findings of this literature review, some ideas for a research agenda on the issue of consumption in the circular economy are outlined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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15 pages, 1709 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Product Design in Creating Circular Business Models: A Case Study on the Lease and Refurbishment of Baby Strollers

by Deborah Sumter, Conny Bakker and Ruud Balkenende

Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2415; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10072415 - 11 Jul 2018

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 8521

Abstract

In the transition to a circular economy companies are exploring new business models, implying a shift from selling products to offering products in circular business models, such as leasing. Product design is thought to play a crucial role in enabling this. Having a [...] Read more.

In the transition to a circular economy companies are exploring new business models, implying a shift from selling products to offering products in circular business models, such as leasing. Product design is thought to play a crucial role in enabling this. Having a robust overview of relevant design roles and competencies is of foundational importance for the development of circular design tools and methods, and for the development of circular economy-based design curricula in higher education. However, how the role of design and the competencies required by designers need to change has hardly been investigated. Building on insights from literature regarding competencies of designers required to consider sustainability, sustainable design, and circular design, we developed a framework in which these competencies are related to the functional, coordinating, and strategic roles that have been recognized within the literature for designers. To complement the results from the literature with insights from practice, a single longitudinal in-depth case study was carried out describing a lease and refurbishment pilot conducted by a Dutch design-driven manufacturer of baby strollers. This case study allowed verification of the literature regarding the functional and coordinating roles of the designer. In addition, we were able to fill the gap observed in the literature regarding the strategic role product designers can assume when designing offers for circular business models. The competencies that we found are (1) the ability to concurrently develop the circular business model and the product’s design and (2) the ability to anticipate how the circular offering will evolve over multiple lifecycles. These findings have been used to expand the framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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15 pages, 243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Why Is Ownership an Issue? Exploring Factors That Determine Public Acceptance of Product-Service Systems

by Catherine E. Cherry and Nick F. Pidgeon

Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2289; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10072289 - 02 Jul 2018

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 5993

Abstract

Shifting away from ownership towards access-based consumption, innovative new business models known as product-service systems (PSS) are advocated as part of a more circular, resource efficient economy. With product ownership (and responsibility for repair) remaining with providers, pay-per-use services are promoted as one [...] Read more.

Shifting away from ownership towards access-based consumption, innovative new business models known as product-service systems (PSS) are advocated as part of a more circular, resource efficient economy. With product ownership (and responsibility for repair) remaining with providers, pay-per-use services are promoted as one such model, which can both increase product longevity and reduce the ‘burdens of ownership’ on consumers. However, PSS also require public acceptance of access-based consumption, including the long-term use of non-owned products and a range of accompanying contractual obligations. We conducted a series of deliberative workshops with the public, aiming to explore the concept of pay-per-use PSS and the role that concerns about ownership and responsibility may have in determining public acceptance. Rather than focusing on innate desires for product ownership, we found that participants’ concerns regarding pay-per-use PSS were usually related to wider fears surrounding the risks and responsibilities of entering into contract-based service agreements. Identifying four public narratives of service provision (Ownership and convenience; Risk and responsibility; Affordability and security; Care and control), we argue that successful introduction of PSS will only be possible if careful consideration is given to deeply held values pertaining to ownership, responsibility and trust that influence such cultural understandings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

18 pages, 974 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Access Trump Ownership? Exploring Consumer Acceptance of Access-Based Consumption in the Case of Smartphones

by Flora Poppelaars, Conny Bakker and Jo Van Engelen

Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2133; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10072133 - 22 Jun 2018

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 4989

Abstract

Value creation in a circular economy is based on products being returned after use. In the case of smartphones, most are never returned and tend to be kept in drawers. Smartphone access services (e.g., leasing or upgrade) have been experimented with in the [...] Read more.

Value creation in a circular economy is based on products being returned after use. In the case of smartphones, most are never returned and tend to be kept in drawers. Smartphone access services (e.g., leasing or upgrade) have been experimented with in the Netherlands but have been largely unsuccessful. This study explores the reasons why consumers rejected these access-based smartphone services and is one of the very few to address this topic. The findings are compared with the case of car access services, which are socially better accepted, to identify potential areas for improvement. The qualitative study consists of in-depth interviews with consumers (n = 18) who either adopted and used a smartphone or car access service, or had considered a new smartphone or car but did not choose access-based consumption. The findings of this small-scale study suggest that the main reasons for the rejection of smartphone access services are a lack of awareness, misunderstanding of terms and conditions, and unsatisfactory compensation for their sacrifice of not owning. Smartphone access providers could thus clearly communicate customers’ rights and responsibilities, offer an excellent service experience (especially during repair) by taking over the burdens of ownership, and stimulate the societal logic shift from ownership to access. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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21 pages, 5169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consumer Intervention Mapping—A Tool for Designing Future Product Strategies within Circular Product Service Systems

by Matt Sinclair, Leila Sheldrick, Mariale Moreno and Emma Dewberry

Sustainability 2018, 10(6), 2088; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10062088 - 19 Jun 2018

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 9816

Abstract

Re-distributed manufacturing presents a number of opportunities and challenges for New Product Development in a future Circular Economy. It has been argued that small-scale, flexible and localised production systems will reduce resource consumption, lower transport emissions and extend product lifetimes. At the same [...] Read more.

Re-distributed manufacturing presents a number of opportunities and challenges for New Product Development in a future Circular Economy. It has been argued that small-scale, flexible and localised production systems will reduce resource consumption, lower transport emissions and extend product lifetimes. At the same time smart products within the Internet of Things will gather and report data on user behaviour and product status. Many sustainable design tools have previously been developed but few are able to imagine and develop visions of how future sustainable product service systems might be manifested. This paper introduces the concept of Consumer Intervention Mapping as a tool for creating future product strategies. The tool visualises the points within a product’s lifecycle where stakeholders are able to intervene in the product’s expected journey. This perspective enables the rapid construction of scenarios that explore and describe future circular product service systems. Validation of the tool in three workshops is described and the outcomes are presented. Consumer Intervention Mapping is successful in creating scenarios that describe existing product service systems and new product concepts adapted to a Circular Economy paradigm. Further work is required to refine the tool’s performance in more focused and reflective design exercises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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27 pages, 2269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Marketing Approaches for a Circular Economy: Using Design Frameworks to Interpret Online Communications

by Lucy Chamberlin and Casper Boks

Sustainability 2018, 10(6), 2070; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10062070 - 19 Jun 2018

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 14868

Abstract

The Circular Economy has been posited as a solution to the rise of environmental decimation with growing global economic prosperity, by introducing new systems of production, consumption, and disposal. Current literature has explored circular economy business models, such as product service systems (PSSs), [...] Read more.

The Circular Economy has been posited as a solution to the rise of environmental decimation with growing global economic prosperity, by introducing new systems of production, consumption, and disposal. Current literature has explored circular economy business models, such as product service systems (PSSs), and has identified some issues that represent both behavioral barriers and motivating factors when it comes to consumer acceptance of these new models. However, there are few studies that incorporate a marketing and communications perspective on the circular economy or which focus on the ways in which businesses providing circular products or services currently use communications to market their offerings and influence consumer behavior. This paper represents an initial, exploratory study that identifies ten groups of concerns or ‘factors’ from the literature that affect consumer acceptance of circular value propositions. It then uses two models from the field of design (Dimensions of Behavior Change and Design with Intent) to interpret examples of web communications from four retailers of circular products and services, and to suggest future marketing and communications strategies for use in business and research. It finds that design frameworks can provide a relevant and comprehensive means to analyze marketing strategies and suggest less binary approaches than for instance green marketing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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19 pages, 4795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emotional Durability Design Nine—A Tool for Product Longevity

by Merryn Haines-Gadd, Jonathan Chapman, Peter Lloyd, Jon Mason and Dzmitry Aliakseyeu

Sustainability 2018, 10(6), 1948; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10061948 - 11 Jun 2018

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 14527

Abstract

How can we develop products that consumers want to use for longer? The lifetime of electrical products is an ongoing concern in discussions about the circular economy. It is an issue that begins at an industry level, but that directly influences the way [...] Read more.

How can we develop products that consumers want to use for longer? The lifetime of electrical products is an ongoing concern in discussions about the circular economy. It is an issue that begins at an industry level, but that directly influences the way in which consumers use and discard products. Through a series of workshops and knowledge exchange sessions with Philips Lighting, this paper identifies which design factors influence a consumer’s tendency to retain their products for longer. These were distilled into a guiding framework for new product developers—The Emotional Durability Design Nine—consisting of nine themes: relationships, narratives, identity, imagination, conversations, consciousness, integrity, materiality, and evolvability. These nine themes are complemented by 38 strategies that help in the development of more emotionally engaging product experiences. We propose that the framework can be applied at multiple points during the new product development process to increase the likelihood that ‘emotion building’ features are integrated into an end product. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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22 pages, 2860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design for Circular Behaviour: Considering Users in a Circular Economy

by Thomas Wastling, Fiona Charnley and Mariale Moreno

Sustainability 2018, 10(6), 1743; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10061743 - 25 May 2018

Cited by 139 | Viewed by 20117

Abstract

In a linear economy, a product is manufactured and sold to a customer. Then, little concern is given to what the user actually does with it when they have it. However, in a circular economy where the aim is to circulate products at [...] Read more.

In a linear economy, a product is manufactured and sold to a customer. Then, little concern is given to what the user actually does with it when they have it. However, in a circular economy where the aim is to circulate products at their highest level of value, the customer’s behaviour can become an important part of the system. Circular design strategies have tended to focus on the physical aspects of a product (e.g., disassembly, material selection), but the design of products and services can also have an influence on user behaviour and, to date, this aspect of circular design has not been fully explored. This project aims to define what key user behaviours are required for circular business models to work and to outline how design can enable these ‘circular behaviours’. This research project consists of a literature review, case study analysis and expert interviews with practitioners. A theoretical framework for designing products and services to encourage circular behaviour is developed. This work provides an initial step towards a better understanding of the user’s role in the transition to a circular economy as well as a preliminary model for how design for behaviour change strategies could be implemented in this context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Design and Consumer Behavior in A Circular Economy)

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