Repair motivation and barriers model: Investigating user perspectives related to product repair towards a circular economy

This paper explores user perspectives about product repair to prolong product lifespan towards the circular economy. Product longevity can be effectively achieved by repair and reuse, where no virgin materials are required. Nevertheless, the decision of whether to repair something is initiated by users. Their motivations and choices are vital to postpone product replacement. Therefore, users’ motivations and barriers related to product repair were explored in this research with cultural probes, research through design, and workshops. Fogg’s behaviour model was utilised to get a deeper understanding of the subject. The results were further developed and tested through the workshops with users. Including reversibility, endurance, and aesthetic value nineteen factors were identified that suggest opportunities to understand and change users’ repair behaviour. A relationship among these factors was observed that led to the theoretical construction of the repair motivation and barriers model. This paper makes an original contribution to knowledge with the development of the repair motivation and barriers model based on the identified nineteen factors that affect users’ repair behaviour.