Designing low-complexity electrical consumer products for ecological use

This study examined the environmental impact of low-complexity electrical consumer products during their use in a domestic context. In the experimental scenario, 48 users were asked to use a kettle under different conditions. On-product information (OPI), task instruction, and kettle design were emp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied ergonomics 2003-11, Vol.34 (6), p.521-531
Main Authors: Sauer, Juergen, Wiese, Bettina S, Rüttinger, Bruno
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Applied psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Conservation of Natural Resources
Consumer product
Control belief
Cooking
Environment. Ecology
Environmental concern
Environmental impact
Equipment Design
Ergonomics
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Germany
Habits
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Household Articles
Humans
Kitchen utensils
Product Labeling
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Regression Analysis
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Summary:This study examined the environmental impact of low-complexity electrical consumer products during their use in a domestic context. In the experimental scenario, 48 users were asked to use a kettle under different conditions. On-product information (OPI), task instruction, and kettle design were employed as independent variables in a mixed multi-factorial design to examine their effects on different parameters of ecological performance (e.g., water and electricity consumption). Measures of user variables (environmental concern, knowledge, domestic habits, environmental control beliefs) were also taken to examine their relationship with performance parameters. The results revealed main effects of ecological task instruction, OPI and (partly) kettle design on ecological user behaviour. Habits, environmental concern and control beliefs were found to be related to performance parameters whereas knowledge was not. The implications of the results for product design are discussed against the background of a strong prevalence of habits and low ecological user motivation.
ISSN:0003-6870
1872-9126
DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2003.07.001