Measuring consumers' product care tendency: Scale development and validation. (1st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ackermann, Laura; Schoormans, Jan P.L.; Mugge, Ruth
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 295(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-01
• Subjects: Pro-environmental behaviour -- Scale development -- Sustainability -- Repair -- Maintenance; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126327
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Product care is defined as all activities initiated by consumers that encourage an extension of product lifetimes, such as repair, maintenance, and/or careful handling. A product care scale was developed and validated in a set of four related studies. In study 1, we asked experts to examine the face validity of a set of 35 items. In study 2, we reduced the initial set of items to 10 items using exploratory factor analysis. A subsequent confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor solution. Study 3, a nomological network study, demonstrated that the construct measured by our scale is related but still distinguishable from existing concepts, such as frugality, use innovativeness and attachment towards the product. Study 4 was a known-groups test with participants from two different countries and with various previous experiences in repairing. The final 10-item product care scale includes three factors: relevance, easiness and positive experience. Highlights: Product care is defined as consumers' activities to prolong a product's lifetime. Product care tendency can be measured with the developed 10-items product care scale. The three factors within the scale are easiness, relevance and positive experience. Companies can quantify the effect of different approaches to stimulate product care.