Does Access Trump Ownership? Exploring Consumer Acceptance of Access-Based Consumption in the Case of Smartphones

• DOI: 10.3390/su10072133
• Publication Date: 2018-06-22T14:56:28Z
• Authors: Flora Poppelaars; Conny Bakker; Jo Van Engelen
• Keywords: Consumption

Value creation in a circular economy is based on products being returned after use. In the case of smartphones, most are never and tend to be kept drawers. Smartphone access services (e.g., leasing or upgrade) have been experimented with Netherlands but largely unsuccessful. This study explores reasons why consumers rejected these access-based smartphone one very few address this topic. The findings compared car services, which socially better accepted, identify potential areas for improvement. qualitative consists in-depth interviews (n = 18) who either adopted used service, had considered new did not choose consumption. small-scale suggest that main rejection lack awareness, misunderstanding terms conditions, unsatisfactory compensation their sacrifice owning. providers could thus clearly communicate customers’ rights responsibilities, offer an excellent service experience (especially during repair) by taking over burdens ownership, stimulate societal logic shift from ownership access.