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Cited by 6Innovative Human-Technology InteractionSustainable Design and DevelopmentSustainable Supply Chain Management

Enhancing consumers’ willingness to repair electronic products: How design can nudge sustainable behaviour

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van den Berge, Renske, Magnier, Lise, Mugge, Ruth·2022·Proceedings of DRS
DOI 10.21606/drs.2022.335
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Abstract

Product repair can decrease the ecological burden of consumer electronics by lengthening their lifetimes, but it is still too rarely practised by consumers. Design for behaviour change can motivate consumers to undertake repair activities. An increased level of repair self-efficacy can nudge consumers towards repair. In two experiments, we tested the effects of a fault indication on consumers’ willingness to repair washing machines, vacuum cleaners and stick vacuum cleaners. A fault indication is a signal appearing on a product providing information about the occurring failure. For products that are relatively less likely to be repaired by a repair professional, the willingness to repair increased significantly when a fault indication was present. The perceived level of self-efficacy mediated these results. These results remained consistent among different types of product failures. Finally, we provide implications for designers and future opportunities on how to further stimulate consumers’ willingness to repair electronic products.

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  • Fault indicators significantly increase the likelihood of vacuum cleaner repairs.

    “Van den Berge found that fault indicators significantly increase the likelihood of vacuum cleaner repairs, although this effect was not observed for washing machines [25].”

    From Designing for Repair and Extended Lifespan: Consumer Expectations and Economic Constraints (2026) · cites this paper as [25]

    The section ‘The effect of a fault indication on the willingness to repair’ reports significantly higher willingness to repair a vacuum cleaner when a fault indication was present, but no significant effect for washing machines. It measured willingness to repair, not the likelihood of repairs actually occurring; no page number is supplied in the excerpts. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Design cues and fault indicators significantly influence repair likelihood for familiar product categories.

    “who found that design cues and fault indicators significantly influence repair likelihood for familiar product categories”

    From Designing for Repair and Extended Lifespan: Consumer Expectations and Economic Constraints (2026) · cites this paper as [25]

    In “The effect of a fault indication on the willingness to repair” (page unavailable), a fault indication significantly increased willingness to repair a vacuum cleaner, but not a washing machine. The paper measures willingness rather than actual repair, does not establish familiarity as the relevant category distinction, and does not show a separate effect of other design cues. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The product-category repair confidence gradient reflects the role of perceived technical complexity and personal competence in shaping repair engagement.

    “This gradient reflects the role of perceived technical complexity and personal competence in shaping repair engagement, consistent with Van den Berge [25], who found that design cues and fault indicators significantly influence repair likelihood for familiar product categories.”

    From Designing for Repair and Extended Lifespan: Consumer Expectations and Economic Constraints (2026) · cites this paper as [25]

    In “The effect of a fault indication on the willingness to repair” (page unavailable), the paper reports a significant increase in willingness to repair a vacuum cleaner when a fault indication was present, but no significant increase for a washing machine. “The mediating effect of self-efficacy on the willingness to repair” also links the vacuum-cleaner effect to perceived competence. The paper discusses technical complexity as a reason consumers might seek professional repair, but it does not establish product familiarity as the basis of the category difference or test design cues beyond fault indications. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Fault indicators do not significantly increase the likelihood of washing machine repairs.

    “although this effect was not observed for washing machines [25].”

    From Designing for Repair and Extended Lifespan: Consumer Expectations and Economic Constraints (2026) · cites this paper as [25]

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Research works printed but not linked: 27

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Sorted by citations

Authors
van den Berge, R., Magnier, L., & Mugge, R.
Affiliations
  • TU Delft, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, The Netherlands
  • Delft University of Technology (NL)
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of DRS
Publisher
Design Research Society
Published
2022-06-25
ISSN
2398-3132 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.21606/drs.2022.335
OpenAlex
W4283018744
Cited by
6
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1
FWCI
1.00
Type
conference paper
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Proceedings of DRS (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Research Repository (Delft University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
European Commission (820331, HORIZON2020)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Sustainable Design and Development
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Keywords
product repair, electronic devices, design for behaviour change, nudging, fault indication, consumer electronics, sustainable consumption, product failure, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, product lifetime

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