IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i22p10063-d1523845.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unveiling the Circular Behavior of Product Appreciation: An Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammed I. M. Ali

    (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Pilsung Choe

    (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

Abstract

Product appreciation is defined as valuing and sustaining the use of a functional, energy-efficient product. This study adopted a user perspective to understand the circular behavior of product appreciation and explore the factors influencing it. Employing a qualitative exploratory approach, in-depth, cross-language (English and Arabic) interviews were conducted with participants from different nationalities. The collected data were then subjected to an adapted and augmented version of reflexive thematic analysis, allowing for a thorough examination of the underlying motivations and barriers to product appreciation. Our analysis revealed 60 motivation factors and 30 barrier factors. More importantly, six motivation themes emerged: attachment due to sentimental value, user satisfaction, holistic positive engagement, product ingenuity and enduring value, economic mindfulness, and retention and status quo tendency. In contrast, four barrier themes were identified: changes in user preferences, user dissatisfaction, craving newness, and free upgrades. This study accentuates the delineation of the newly identified circular behavior of product appreciation and highlights its significance in extending product life cycles and slowing resource loops. The findings provide valuable insights for designers, researchers, business strategists, and policymakers aiming to foster sustainable consumption and production patterns through product design, sustainable value propositions, and extended producer responsibility policies. Furthermore, the proposed adapted version of the reflexive thematic analysis method is expected to be a significant contribution to the qualitative research literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed I. M. Ali & Pilsung Choe, 2024. "Unveiling the Circular Behavior of Product Appreciation: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-23, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:10063-:d:1523845
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/22/10063/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/22/10063/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicole van Nes & Jacqueline Cramer, 2005. "Influencing product lifetime through product design," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(5), pages 286-299, September.
    2. 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.
    3. Valérie Guillard & Emmanuelle Le Nagard & Gisèle de Campos Ribeiro, 2023. "A typology of consumers regarding perceived obsolescence: The paradox of eco-conscious consumers," Post-Print hal-04268237, HAL.
    4. Westaby, James D., 2005. "Behavioral reasoning theory: Identifying new linkages underlying intentions and behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 98(2), pages 97-120, November.
    5. Fernandez, Viviana P., 2001. "Observable and unobservable determinants of replacement of home appliances," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 305-323, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Renske van den Berge & Lise Magnier & Ruth Mugge, 2023. "Until death do us part? In‐depth insights into Dutch consumers’ considerations about product lifetimes and lifetime extension," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 908-922, June.
    2. Mohammed I. M. Ali & Pilsung Choe, 2022. "Independent User Circular Behaviors and Their Motivators and Barriers: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Pina Puntillo, 2023. "Circular economy business models: Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the waste management sector—Empirical evidence and theoretical implications," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 941-954, March.
    4. Tina Wiegand & Martin Wynn, 2023. "Sustainability, the Circular Economy and Digitalisation in the German Textile and Clothing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-30, June.
    5. German Arana‐Landin & Waleska Sigüenza & Beñat Landeta‐Manzano & Iker Laskurain‐Iturbe, 2024. "Circular economy: On the road to ISO 59000 family of standards," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 1977-2009, May.
    6. Abdulmajeed Almadhi & Abdelhakim Abdelhadi & Rakan Alyamani, 2023. "Moving from Linear to Circular Economy in Saudi Arabia: Life-Cycle Assessment on Plastic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, July.
    7. Hu, Xueyue & Wang, Chunying & Elshkaki, Ayman, 2024. "Material-energy Nexus: A systematic literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    8. Sergio Cappucci & Serena Nappi & Andrea Cappelli, 2022. "Green Public Areas and Urban Open Spaces Management: New GreenCAL Tool Algorithms and Circular Economy Implications," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
    9. Huang, Youlin & Qian, Lixian, 2021. "Consumer adoption of electric vehicles in alternative business models," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    10. Monia Niero & Charlotte L. Jensen & Chiara Farné Fratini & Jens Dorland & Michael S. Jørgensen & Susse Georg, 2021. "Is life cycle assessment enough to address unintended side effects from Circular Economy initiatives?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1111-1120, October.
    11. Michelsen, Carl Christian & Madlener, Reinhard, 2016. "Switching from fossil fuel to renewables in residential heating systems: An empirical study of homeowners' decisions in Germany," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 95-105.
    12. Yadav, Rambalak & Giri, Arunangshu & Chatterjee, Satakshi, 2022. "Understanding the users' motivation and barriers in adopting healthcare apps: A mixed-method approach using behavioral reasoning theory," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    13. Jaroslaw Golebiewski & Josu Takala & Oskar Juszczyk & Nina Drejerska, 2019. "Local contribution to circular economy. A case study of a Polish rural municipality," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 21(3), pages 771-791.
    14. Jiaxing Wang & Shigeru Matsumoto, 2022. "An economic model of home appliance replacement: application to refrigerator replacement among Japanese households," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 24(1), pages 29-48, January.
    15. Franco Fassio & Chiara Chirilli, 2023. "The Circular Economy and the Food System: A Review of Principal Measuring Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    16. S. Bhattacharya & R. Ajwani-Ramchandani & Shishir Kumar Jha & C.J. Chiappetta Jabbour & V.G. Venkatesh, 2023. "Prologue for the Virtual Special Issue on Social Circular Consumption- Exploring the Role of the Bottom of Pyramid," Post-Print hal-04458204, HAL.
    17. Qian, Lixian & Yin, Juelin & Huang, Youlin & Liang, Ya, 2023. "The role of values and ethics in influencing consumers’ intention to use autonomous vehicle hailing services," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    18. Eugenia Rossi di Schio & Vincenzo Ballerini & Jan Kašpar & Manuela Neri & Mariagrazia Pilotelli & Edoardo Alessio Piana & Paolo Valdiserri, 2024. "Applicability of Face Masks as Recyclable Raw Materials for Self-Made Insulation Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-15, March.
    19. Hajiheydari, Nastaran & Delgosha, Mohammad Soltani & Olya, Hossein, 2021. "Scepticism and resistance to IoMT in healthcare: Application of behavioural reasoning theory with configurational perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    20. Mia B. Münster, 2024. "Adaptive Reuse: Atmospherics in Buildings Repurposed as Coffee Shops," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-32, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:10063-:d:1523845. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.