Repair Over Replacement: Consumer Behaviours and Repair Practices for Electronics in the Global South
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55845/FLBF5270Keywords:
Electronics, Repair, Product Value, Sustainable Consumption, Consumer Behaviour, Circular EconomyAbstract
Comprehensive data on consumer behaviour regarding the use and repair of electronic products in the Global South remains limited. This study’s primary data collection method involves household surveys (n = 450), representing diverse socio-economic groups, to analyse 23 electronic products in Lahore (Pakistan). It examines: (i) key trends in product failures, repair costs, and spare part sourcing, (ii) householder attitudes towards repairs, and (iii) comparisons with repair practices in the Global North. Repair costs range from $5 – $100 for fridges, while air conditioners (ACs) require repairs most frequently. Major repairs occur within a year for ACs and seven years for flat display panel TVs, depending on usage, product quality and climate. Householders in the Global South prioritise repairs over replacements, primarily due to economic constraints and value recovery, contrasting with sustainability-driven repair advocacy in the Global North. The findings underscore how affordability, accessibility, and cultural attitudes shape repair behaviours.
References
Ali, S., 2022. Income, culture, and inequality — who are Pakistan’s middle-classes? [WWW Document]. URL https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/12/04/income-culture-and-inequality-who-are-pakistans-middleclasses/#:~:text=The%20world%20bank%20states%20that,65%2C000%20to%20266%2C000. (accessed 10.15.23).
Amt für Umwelt, 2024. Reparieren macht Sinn [WWW Document]. URL https://www.reparaturfuehrer.ch/ (accessed 5.27.24).
Azam, M., Jahromy, S.S., Raza, W., Raza, N., Lee, S.S., Kim, K.H., Winter, F., 2020. Status, characterization, and potential utilization of municipal solid waste as renewable energy source: Lahore case study in Pakistan. Environ Int 134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105291
Baccini, P., Brunner, P.H., 2012. Metabolism of the Anthroposphere. The MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/8720.001.0001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/8720.001.0001
Baldé, C.P., Kuehr, R., Blumenthal, K., Gill, S.F., Kern, M., Micheli, P., Magpantay, E., Huisman, J., 2015. E-waste statistics: Guidelines on classifications, reporting and indicators, United Nations University, IAS-SCYCLE.
Baldé, C.P., Kuehr, R., Yamamoto, T., McDonald R., D’Angelo, E., Althaf, S., Bel, G., Deubzer, O., Fernandez -Cubillo, E., Forti, V., Gray, V., Herat, S., Honda, S., Iattoni, G., Khetriwal, D.S., Luda di Cortemiglia, V., Lobuntsova, Y., Nnorom, I., Pralat, N., Wagner, M., 2024. The Global E-waste Monitor 2024. Geneva/Bonn.
Blomsma, F., Pieroni, M., Kravchenko, M., Pigosso, D.C.A., Hildenbrand, J., Kristinsdottir, A.R., Kristoffersen, E., Shabazi, S., Nielsen, K.D., Jönbrink, A.K., Li, J., Wiik, C., McAloone, T.C., 2019. Developing a circular strategies framework for manufacturing companies to support circular economy-oriented innovation. J Clean Prod 241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118271 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118271
Bovea, M.D., Pérez-Belis, V., Quemades-Beltrán, P., 2017. Attitude of the stakeholders involved in the repair and second-hand sale of small household electrical and electronic equipment: Case study in Spain. J Environ Manage 196, 91–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.069 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.069
Bracquené, E., Peeters, J., Alfieri, F., Sanfélix, J., Duflou, J., Dewulf, W., Cordella, M., 2021. Analysis of evaluation systems for product repairability: A case study for washing machines. J Clean Prod 281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125122 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125122
Cerulli-Harms, A., Suter, J., Landzaat, W., Duke, C., Diaz, Adriana Rodriguez, Porsch, L., Peroz, T., Kettner, S., Thorun, C., Svatikova, K., Vermeulen, J., Smit, T., Dekeulenaer, F., Lucica, E., Diaz, Adriana; Rodriguez, Porsch, L., Peroz, T., Kettner, S., Thorun, C., Svatikova, K., Vermeulen, J., Smit, T., Dekeulenaer, F., Lucica, E., 2018. Behavioural Study on Consumers’ Engagement in the Circular Economy, European Commission.
Cordella, M., Alfieri, F., Clemm, C., Berwald, A., 2021. Durability of smartphones: A technical analysis of reliability and repairability aspects. J Clean Prod 286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125388 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125388
Cordella, Mauro., Alfieri, Felice., Sanfelix, Javier., 2019. Analysis and development of a scoring system for repair and upgrade of products: final report. Luxembourg.
De Fazio, F., Bakker, C., Flipsen, B., Balkenende, R., 2021. The Disassembly Map: A new method to enhance design for product repairability. J Clean Prod 320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128552
Déméné, C., Marchand, A., 2016. Barriers and Drivers Related to the Repair of Electronic Products: A Case Study on Televisions. The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice 12, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1166/CGP/v12i01/1-14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1166/CGP/v12i01/1-14
Digitales Amt, 2022. Reparaturbonus [WWW Document]. URL https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/ueberoesterreichgvat/kontakt.html (accessed 5.27.24).
European Commission, 2024. Deal on strengthening consumers’ right to repair [WWW Document]. URL https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240129IPR17216/deal-on-strengtheningconsumers-right-torepair#:~:text=EU%20negotiators%20reached%20a%20provisional,right%20to%20repair%E2%80%9D%20for%20consumers. (accessed 2.6.24).
European Commission, 2023. Right to repair: Commission introduces new consumer rights for easy and attractive repairs [WWW Document]. URL https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1794 (accessed 8.31.23).
European Commission, 2018. Executive Summary: Behavioural study on consumers’ engagement in the circular economy [WWW Document]. URL https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2818/921596 (accessed 10.29.23).
European Commission, 2012. Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) (recast) (Text with EEA relevance).
Fairphone, 2013. Change is in your hand [WWW Document]. URL https://www.fairphone.com/de (accessed 5.27.24).
Federal Board of Revenue, 2022. Updation Of Valuation Of Immovable Properties (Lahore) [WWW Document]. Government of Pakistan. URL https://www.fbr.gov.pk/propertyValuation/17229 (accessed 12.19.23).
Flipsen, B.;, Bakker, C.A.;, De Pauw, I.C., Flipsen, B., Bakker, C., De Pauw, I., 2020. Hotspot Mapping for product disassembly: A circular product assessment method, in: Martin Schneider-Ramelow (Ed.), Electronics Goes Green 2020+ (EGG): The Story of Daisy, Alexa and Greta. Berlin.
Freeman, G.H., Halton, J.H., 1951. Note on exact treatment of contingency, goodness of fit and other problems of significance. Biometrika 38, 141–149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/biomet/38.1-2.141
Godfrey, D.M., Price, L.L., Lusch, R.F., 2022. Repair, Consumption, and Sustainability: Fixing Fragile Objects and Maintaining Consumer Practices. Journal of Consumer Research 49, 229–251. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucab067 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucab067
Government of Punjab, 2023. District Lahore [WWW Document]. Punjab Information Technology Board. URL https://lahore.punjab.gov.pk/district_profile (accessed 12.19.23).
Guo, F., Rasmussen, B., 2023. Predictive maintenance for residential air conditioning systems with smart thermostat data using modified Mann-Kendall tests. Appl Therm Eng 222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.119955 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.119955
Güsser-Fachbach, I., Lechner, G., Ramos, T.B., Reimann, M., 2023. Repair service convenience in a circular economy: The perspective of customers and repair companies. J Clean Prod 415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137763 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137763
Haase, L.M., Mugge, R., Mosgaard, M.A., Bocken, N., Jaeger-Erben, M., Pizzol, M., Jørgensen, M.S., 2024. Who are the value transformers, value co-operators and value gatekeepers? New routes to value preservation in a sufficiency-based circular economy. Resour Conserv Recycl 204, 107502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107502 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107502
iFixit, 2024. What to Expect from Right to Repair in 2024 [WWW Document]. URL https://www.ifixit.com/News/90045/what-to-expect-from-right-to-repair-in-2024 (accessed 6.1.24).
iFixit, 2019. Repair Market Observations: iFixit’s Testimony to the FTC [WWW Document]. URL https://www.ifixit.com/News/16766/why-right-to-repair-matters-our-testimony-to-the-ftc (accessed 10.29.23).
iFixit, 2003. We Must Secure Our Right to Repair Everything We Own [WWW Document]. URL https://www.ifixit.com/Right-to-Repair (accessed 5.27.24).
Jaeger-Erben, M., Frick, V., Hipp, T., 2021. Why do users (not) repair their devices? A study of the predictors of repair practices. J Clean Prod 286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125382
Korsunova, A., Heiskanen, E., Vainio, A., 2023. Consumer decision-making on repair in a circular economy: A process model based on experiences among young adults and stakeholders in Finland. J Clean Prod 405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137052 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137052
Laitala, K., Klepp, I.G., Haugrønning, V., Throne-Holst, H., Strandbakken, P., 2021. Increasing repair of household appliances, mobile phones and clothing: Experiences from consumers and the repair industry. J Clean Prod 282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125349 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125349
Lepawsky, J., Cáceres, K., Gusukuma, M., Kahhat, R., 2021. Quantifying the conservation value of independent, place-based repair: a case study of an electronics repair cluster in Lima, Peru, in: 4th PLATE 2021 Virtual Conference. Limerick, Ireland. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31880/10344/10224
Llorente-González, L.J., Vence, X., 2020. How labour-intensive is the circular economy? A policy-orientated structural analysis of the repair, reuse and recycling activities in the European Union. Resour Conserv Recycl 162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105033
Lynch, J., Serrenho, A.C., 2023. What really matters to reduce the energy demand of household electronics? Global sensitivity analysis of circular economy strategies for the United Kingdom. J Clean Prod 139746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139746 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139746
McLaren, D., Niskanen, J., Anshelm, J., 2020. Reconfiguring repair: Contested politics and values of repair challenge instrumental discourses found in circular economies literature. Resources, Conservation and Recycling: X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcrx.2020.100046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcrx.2020.100046
Miljødirektoratet, 2021. Waste [WWW Document]. URL https://www.environmentagency.no/ (accessed 5.27.24).
Ministère de la Transition écologique, 2021. Instructions manual for the calculation of the repairability index of electrical and electronic equipments [WWW Document]. URL https://www.indicereparabilite.fr/wpcontent/uploads/2021/01/210107_Instructions-manual-repairability-index.pdf. (accessed 10.24.23).
Moraga, G., Huysveld, S., Mathieux, F., Blengini, G.A., Alaerts, L., Van Acker, K., de Meester, S., Dewulf, J., 2019. Circular economy indicators: What do they measure? Resour Conserv Recycl 146, 452–461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.045
Möslinger, M.;, Almásy, K.;, Jamard, M.;, De Maupeou, H., 2022. Towards an Effective Right to Repair for Electronics Overcoming legal, political and supply barriers to contribute to circular electronics in the EU. https://doi.org/10.2760/42722
National Conference of State Legislatures, 2023. Right to Repair 2023 Legislation [WWW Document]. URL https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/right-to-repair-2023-legislation#:~:text=Relates%20to%20Right%20to%20Repair,equipment%20necessary%20to%20perform%20repair (accessed 10.4.23).
Nazlı, T., 2021. Repair motivation and barriers model: Investigating user perspectives related to product repair towards a circular economy. J Clean Prod 289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125644 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125644
Netzwerk Reparatur-Initiative, 2014. Reparatur-Initiativen finden, unterstützen und gründen – Vernetzung, Beratung und Austausch [WWW Document]. anstiftung- gemeinnützige Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts. URL https://www.reparatur-initiativen.de/ (accessed 5.27.24).
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2023. Announcement of Results of 7th Population and Housing Census-2023 ‘The Digital Census’ [WWW Document]. URL https://www.pbs.gov.pk/ (accessed 10.15.23).
Parajuly, K., Green, J., Richter, J., Johnson, M., Rückschloss, J., Peeters, J., Kuehr, R., Fitzpatrick, C., 2023. Product repair in a circular economy: Exploring public repair behavior from a systems perspective. J Ind Ecol. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13451 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13451
Perzanowski, A., 2022. The Right to Repair. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108946926 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108946926
Potting, J., Hekkert, M., Worrell, E., Hanemaaijer, A., 2017. Circular Economy: Measuring Innovation in the product product chain – Policy report. The Hague.
Pozo Arcos, B., Bakker, C., Flipsen, B., Balkenende, R., 2020. Practices of fault diagnosis in household appliances: Insights for design. J Clean Prod 265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121812 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121812
Pozo Arcos, B., Dangal, S., Bakker, C., Faludi, J., Balkenende, R., 2021. Faults in consumer products are difficult to diagnose, and design is to blame: A user observation study. J Clean Prod 319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128741 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128741
Rehman, M.U., Zafar, S., Amir-ud-Din, R., 2022. Size, Correlates and Consumption Patterns of the Middle Class: Evidence from Pakistan. J Asian Afr Stud 57, 462–480. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096211020489 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096211020489
Repair Together NPO, 2013. I wish to repair an object: how does it work? [WWW Document]. URL https://repairtogether.be/en/ (accessed 5.27.24).
restart, 2013. Repair a laptop, fix the system [WWW Document]. The Restart Project. URL https://therestartproject.org/ (accessed 5.27.24).
Richter, J.L., Svensson-Hoglund, S., Dalhammar, C., Russell, J.D., Thidell, Å., 2023. Taking stock for repair and refurbishing: A review of harvesting of spare parts from electrical and electronic products. J Ind Ecol 27, 868–881. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13315 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13315
Rosborough, A.D., Wiseman, L., Pihlajarinne, T., 2023. Achieving a (copy)right to repair for the EU’s green economy. Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice 18, 344–352. https://doi.org/10.1093/jiplp/jpad034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jiplp/jpad034
Roskladka, N., Jaegler, A., Miragliotta, G., 2023. From “right to repair” to “willingness to repair”: Exploring consumer’s perspective to product lifecycle extension. J Clean Prod 139705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139705 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139705
Russell, J.D., Svensson-Hoglund, S., Richter, J.L., Dalhammar, C., Milios, L., 2023. A matter of timing: System requirements for repair and their temporal dimensions. J Ind Ecol 27, 845–855. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13280 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13280
Sabbaghi, M., Behdad, S., 2017. Environmental Evaluation of Product Design Alternatives: The Role of Consumer’s Repair Behavior and Deterioration of Critical Components. Journal of Mechanical Design 139. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4036777 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4036777
Sabbaghi, M., Esmaeilian, B., Cade, W., Wiens, K., Behdad, S., 2016. Business outcomes of product repairability: A survey-based study of consumer repair experiences. Resour Conserv Recycl 109, 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2016.02.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2016.02.014
Sampath, R.L.I., 2019. Establishing a business for repairing panel modules of LCD and LED Television. University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Sustainable Business Network, 2022. Start now. [WWW Document]. URL https://sustainable.org.nz/ (accessed 5.27.24).
Svensson-Hoglund, S., Richter, J.L., Maitre-Ekern, E., Russell, J.D., Pihlajarinne, T., Dalhammar, C., 2021. Barriers, enablers and market governance: A review of the policy landscape for repair of consumer electronics in the EU and the U.S. J Clean Prod 288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125488 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125488
Svensson-Hoglund, S., Russell, J.D., Richter, J.L., 2022. A Process Approach to Product Repair from the Perspective of the Individual. Circular Economy and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-022-00226-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-022-00226-1
Sveriges Radio, 2017. Tax break for repairs comes into effect – but some prices unaffected [WWW Document]. URL https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6600336 (accessed 5.27.24).
Tecchio, P., Ardente, F., Mathieux, F., 2019. Understanding lifetimes and failure modes of defective washing machines and dishwashers. J Clean Prod 215, 1112–1122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.044 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.044
Tecchio, P., Ardente, F., Mathieux, F., 2016. Analysis of durability, reusability and reparability – Application to washing machines and dishwashers. EUR 28042. Luxembourg, Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2788/630157
The World Bank, 2023a. World Bank Group country classifications by income level for FY24 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) [WWW Document]. The World Bank Group. URL https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/new-world-bank-group-country-classifications-income-level-fy24#_ftn1 (accessed 10.11.23).
The World Bank, 2023b. World Development Indicators [WWW Document]. The World Bank Group. URL https://databank.worldbank.org/reports.aspx?source=2&type=metadata&series=NY.GDP.PCAP.CD (accessed 10.11.23).
The World Bank, 2023c. Data for Middle income, High income, Low income, Pakistan [WWW Document]. The World Bank Group. URL https://data.worldbank.org/?locations=XP-XD-XM-PK (accessed 10.11.23).
TÜV SÜD, 2023. Repairability testing: Extending product lifetime and enable re-use [WWW Document]. URL https://www.tuvsud.com/en/services/testing/repairability-testing (accessed 10.24.23).
van der Velden, M., Maitre-Ekern, E., Wanja, D.K., 2023. The Role of Independent Repair in a Circular and Regenerative Economy. Circular Economy and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00304-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00304-y
Woidasky, J., Cetinkaya, E., 2021. Use pattern relevance for laptop repair and product lifetime. J Clean Prod 288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125425 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125425
Wooldridge, 2019. Introductory Econometrics – A Modern Approach, 7th ed. Cengage Learning/Thomson, Cheriton House, North Way, – GB, Andover, Hampshire SP10 5BE
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
How to Cite
