Do consumers mind contamination by previous users? A choice-based conjoint analysis to explore strategies that improve consumers' choice for refurbished products

Refurbishment is an effective strategy to extend product lifetimes in a circular economy. However, consumers believe that refurbished products are contaminated with traces of prior use, which can be indicated by the appearance (e.g., scratches) or functionality (e.g., lower battery capacity) of refurbished products. This research explores...

Designing a washing machine for the service economy

Product Service Systems (PSSs) are considered to be a promising approach towards a sustainable, resource efficient economy (Tukker, A., 2015) (defined as ‘a mix of tangible products and intangible services designed and combined so that they are jointly capable of fulfilling final customer needs’ (Tukker, A. & Tischner, 2006)), because they...

Can refurbished products feel like antiques?: The role of the neoretro design style on consumers' evaluation of refurbished products

This research explores a new pathway to improve consumer acceptance of refurbished products that is inspired by the positive evocations of other used products, such as antique products. Currently, the<br/>prior use and age of refurbished products make them a less desirable option because they are perceived to be of lower quality, to have a...

The influence of information about prior use on consumers' evaluations of refurbished electronics

Refurbishment – the process of collecting used products, assessing their condition, and replacing and/or upgrading parts in order to resell them to other consumers – is increasingly seen as both economically and environmentally advantageous. The present research investigates in an experimental study and with qualitative post-hoc interviews how...

Is there a market for refurbished toothbrushes?: An exploratory study on consumers' acceptance of refurbishment for different product categories

Refurbishment is the process of collecting used products, assessing their condition, and replacing and/or upgrading parts in order to resell them to other consumers. Although refurbishment is increasingly seen as both economically and environmentally advantageous, it remains questionable whether consumers will accept refurbishment as a viable...

A design tool for refurbishment: Generating industry specific design rules

This thesis presents the results of a single case study performed at Philips Refurbished Systems, focusing on a medical imaging system: interventional X-ray, which enables Image Guided Therapy (IGT). The goal of the study was to add value to the refurbishment activities at Refurbished Systems by developing design rules for refurbishment. This...

Paving the way towards circular consumption: Exploring consumer acceptance of refurbished mobile phones in the Dutch market

In the transition towards a circular economy, refurbishment can be applied to regain value from used products, and to reduce waste. Refurbishment is a process in which a professional company collects and restores used products in order to resell these products to new consumers. Building on insights from the remanufacturing literature, this...

Consumer acceptance of refurbished mobile phones

Now the detrimental consequences of human consumption become apparent, companies search for ways to extend the product life cycle. Refurbishment is an accessible and cost-effective strategy to regain value from used products and contributes to a more circular consumption model. Driven by a growing commercial interest in refurbishment, this...