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Extending the Life Cycle of EEE—Findings from a Repair Study in Germany: Repair Challenges and Recommendations for Action

Author

Listed:
  • Sina Rudolf

    (Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Steffen Blömeke

    (Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Jan Felix Niemeyer

    (Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Sebastian Lawrenz

    (Institute for Software and Systems Engineering, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany)

  • Priyanka Sharma

    (Institute for Software and Systems Engineering, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany)

  • Sven Hemminghaus

    (Institute of Automotive Management and Industrial Production, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Mark Mennenga

    (Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Kerstin Schmidt

    (Institute of Automotive Management and Industrial Production, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Andreas Rausch

    (Institute for Software and Systems Engineering, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany)

  • Thomas S. Spengler

    (Institute of Automotive Management and Industrial Production, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Christoph Herrmann

    (Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

Abstract

The increasing amount of waste from electrical and electronic equipment and the resulting environmental issues are challenging, since product life cycles are too short, and companies continue to rely on linear (business) models. The Circular Economy is an approach to meet these challenges by extending the product lifetime. One way to extend the product lifetime is to repair them. However, since there has been no detailed research on the repair sector yet, this article aims at conducting a repair study in Germany to understand the repair process and get insights into typical failure patterns. Therefore, we analyze the repair sector’s current barriers from different perspectives, especially of customers and businesses. We discuss the results of the repair study, where 382 repair attempts were conducted, with a total success rate of 55%. Moreover, the participants were interviewed to understand their barriers and motivation for repair. Based on the study’s interim findings, recommendations for action are given to make the repair services more attractive for the repairer and customer. Based on the findings, an interdisciplinary approach to improve repair processes by using a digital repair portal is derived.

Suggested Citation

  • Sina Rudolf & Steffen Blömeke & Jan Felix Niemeyer & Sebastian Lawrenz & Priyanka Sharma & Sven Hemminghaus & Mark Mennenga & Kerstin Schmidt & Andreas Rausch & Thomas S. Spengler & Christoph Herrmann, 2022. "Extending the Life Cycle of EEE—Findings from a Repair Study in Germany: Repair Challenges and Recommendations for Action," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2993-:d:763795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ana de Jesus & Sandro Mendonça, 2017. "Lost in Transition? Drivers and Barriers in the Eco-Innovation Road to the Circular Economy," SPRU Working Paper Series 2017-18, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    2. Atalay Atasu & Miklos Sarvary & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2008. "Remanufacturing as a Marketing Strategy," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 54(10), pages 1731-1746, October.
    3. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    4. Chun-Che Huang & Wen-Yau Liang & Shan-Ru Yi, 2017. "Cloud-based design for disassembly to create environmentally friendly products," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 28(5), pages 1203-1218, June.
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