Second-hand Products Research Articles

"AN EXPLORATORY STUDY INTO THE ROMANIAN STUDENTS’ MOTIVATIONS FOR ONLINE SECOND-HAND SHOPPING"

Online shopping became the main type of shopping in 2020, due to the restrictions posed by authorities to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Students, who already were digitally literate, easily made full use of the digital platforms for shopping a variety of items, among which clothing. The study focuses on student shopping for a special category of products, second-hand garments, aiming to identify the motivations that animate such purchase in the student population. Also, the study aims to highlight which of the digital channels are used for such purchases. The research is based on a survey, self-administered by the respondents. Results show that students participating in the study display a complex set of motivations for secondhand products purchasing, such as economic reasons, fashion-related judgement, leisure, and ecological reasoning. While feeling ‘at home’ in the digital world, if given the choice, students prefer social media over websites, and Instagram over Facebook. Findings are useful for understanding student’s behavior and motivations in the time of crisis, but also to anticipate the trend in ecommerce, since given the chance, many (small) businesses will need to be creative in promoting their products and/or services.

Is this a new era for old goods Analysing the motives for second-hand product resale in the platform economy

Is this a new era for old goods Analysing the motives for second-hand product resale in the platform economy

Determination of optimal post-warranty variable maintenance period for repairable second-hand product based on mean residual life

Due to the increased transactions of second-hand products in the market, the optimization of maintenance strategy for the second-hand product has become very important issue to attract a great attention from many researchers of late. This paper proposes a new post-warranty strategy with a variable self-maintenance period for the second-hand product, assuming that the product is replaced by another one on the first failure following a fixed length of post-warranty self-maintenance period. During the non-renewing warranty period, the product is subject to preventive maintenance periodically at a prorated cost while only minimal repair is implemented at each failure by the dealer. The main goal of this study is to determine an optimal length of post-warranty self-maintenance period which minimizes the expected cost rate per unit time during the product’s life cycle from the user’s perspective. This approach considers not only the periodic preventive maintenance during the warranty period, but also the remaining life distribution of the product after the warranty expires, which is the significant difference of this work from many existing maintenance policies. For this purpose, we formulate the expected length of life cycle and evaluate the expected total cost incurred during the life cycle of the second-had product which is purchased at the age of [Formula: see text] The existence of the optimal self-maintenance period is proved analytically under mild conditions and the proposed maintenance model is compared with an existing model with regard to the expected cost rate. Finally, assuming that the life distribution of the product follows a Weibull distribution, the effect of relevant parameters on the optimal self-maintenance period is analyzed numerically.

Meat-free diets and their relationship with the meaning of food and eco-friendly purchase and consumption behaviours

PurposeThe paper aims to determine whether people with different eating patterns, specifically meat-free diets, engage in other types of eco-friendly behaviours and whether the meanings attributed to food allow for a better understanding of this relationship.Design/methodology/approachData were collected between 2019 and 2020, on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Different instruments were used: The meaning of food in life questionnaire (MFLQ; Arbit et al., 2017); the dietarian identity questionnaire (DIQ; Rosenfeld and Burrow, 2018) and the frugal behaviour scale (Muiños et al., 2015) and two items were used to identify the frequency with which participants purchased ecological or second-hand products. The final sample consisted of 202 participants who ate a vegan, vegetarian or omnivorous diet. Spearman's Correlations were performed and the Kruskal–Wallis statistical test was used.FindingsPeople with a vegan or vegetarian diet purchased ecological (p ≤ 0.001) and second-hand products (p = 0.006) more frequently compared to omnivores. Furthermore, the meanings attributed to food, specifically the moral, sacred and health meanings, were related to differences in eating patterns (p ≤ 0.001), while also being related to some eco-friendly purchase and consumption behaviours. Lastly, frugal behaviour was only found to be related to the health factor of meaning in food (rs = 0.27).Research limitations/implicationsThe measurement used to evaluate the purchase of ecological and second-hand products is very simple/the role of the meaning of food in guiding more eco-friendly behaviours and promoting less ecologically impactful eating patterns.Originality/valueThe study provides valuable information on how vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous diets relate to eco-friendly behaviours.

NAJLON PIJACA - TRADICIONALNA INSTITUCIJA TRGOVINE I DRUŠTVENIH KRETANJA

Traditional trade institutions organised as fairgrounds represent certain market and social trends in the trade of second-hand goods and other products that are characteristic of such places. One of such institutions is the Novi Sad Fairground, better known as the Najlon Market. The paper includes a quantitative and qualitative methodological approach to understand the nature and importance of such markets in the world, with special reference to the Najlon market. The entire trade process is based on the interests of customers and consumers in the form of personal satisfaction. The model of development of this market is based on investment in operational decisions of sellers how to fulfill the interest of consumers and strategically in terms of eliminating deficiencies in terms of infrastructure and management.

A maintenance policy for a [formula omitted]-out-of-[formula omitted] system under enhancing the system’s operating time and safety constraints, and selling the second-hand components

In this paper, a new maintenance policy for k-out-of-n:F systems is proposed, which includes age replacement and minor repairs as preventive maintenance actions. After replacing a multi-component system, some components are still usable and can be sold as second-hand products. The price of these components depends on their original lifetime and the replacement time of the system. On the other hand, managers and engineers would like to reduce the imposed costs on the system while increasing system efficiency. With this in mind, long-run average cost is considered as the objective function. In addition, the optimal parameters of the proposed policy are obtained under two constraints: a safety constraint and a constraint for enhancing the relative mean operating time. By considering the first constraint, the system engineer is confident with a desired probability that no unplanned replacement will happen to the system in a pre-specified interval. The second constraint ensures the enhancement of the mean operating time of the system by applying the proposed policy. Moreover, the classical age replacement policy has been achieved as a special case of our results. To study the effect of the model’s parameters on the optimal solutions, extensive numerical computations are performed. Finally, a real data set of the tensile strength of cables is used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model.

A study on the economic and environmental viability of second-hand items in maintenance policies

The use of second-hand products sold to customers is gaining increasing attention, since environmental concerns are associated with hotspot research topics. However, the use of second-hand items in the production process has not been widely dealt with in the literature related to maintenance issues. In this article, we propose a structured model to assess the viability of considering different percentages of reused items in an inventory. Furthermore, we analyze the effects of the different dependability of a new and of a reused item in the system. The results indicate that when the reused item has the same behavior as a new one, it should always be used. However, when there is a reduction or higher dispersion in its lifetime, the relation between reused and new items should be carefully determined. The fact is that reductions in the cost associated with using reused items may not be worth having, depending on the extent to which their dependability level is reduced. Finally, the main contribution of this paper is the discussion about up to which level of dependability the reused item may differ from a new one so that, in practice, a certain percentage of reused items may be used to replace defective or failed items.

Exploring circular supply chain practices from a dual perspective: using a hybrid method under uncertainty

ABSTRACT Circular supply chains have received increasing attention due to their contributions to the reduction of resource waste and the improvement of resource utilisation efficiency. To comprehensively and systematically gain deeper insight into circular supply chain practices, this paper adopts a dual perspective and proposes a hybrid method considering the relationship between the circular supply chain practices in each link to analyse critical circular supply chain practices. Specifically, first, a system of circular supply chain practices based on the 3R principle (reduce, reuse and recycle) of the circular economy and the whole supply chain process is built. Then, a hybrid method integrating fuzzy set theory, the Delphi method and a Bayesian network is proposed to identify the critical criteria of circular supply chain practices. The results show that using mechanised and automatic equipment, extending the service life of products through technological innovation, using energy-saving technology, working with middlemen to develop measures to encourage consumers to return secondhand products after use and working with middlemen to motivate consumers to buy products using recyclable materials are the top five critical practices. Firms should consider the priority of practices from the perspective of the whole supply chain. Finally, some corresponding suggestions are provided.

Closed-Loop Supply Chain Design with Sustainability Aspects and Network Resilience under Uncertainty: Modelling and Application

In this study, we present a multiobjective mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model to design a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) from production stage to distribution as well as recycling for reproduction. The given network includes production centers, potential points for establishing of distribution centers, retrieval centers, collecting and recycling centers, and the demand points. The presented model seeks to find optimal locations for distribution centers, second-hand product collection centers, and recycling centers under the uncertainty situation alongside the factory’s fixed points. The purpose of the presented model is to minimize overall network costs including processing, establishing, and transportation of products and return flows as well as environmental impacts while maximizing social scales and network flexibility according to the presence of uncertainty parameters in the problem. To solve the proposed model with fuzzy uncertainty, first, the improved epsilon (ε)-constraints approach is used to transform a multiobjective to a single-objective problem. Afterward, the Lagrangian relaxation approach is applied to effectively solve the problem. A real-world case study is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed model. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed to study the effects of important parameters on the optimal solution.

Optimal inspection policy for a second-hand product with a two-dimensional warranty

Abstract This paper studies the situation in which a manufacturer acts as a dealer and buys a second-hand product from one customer and sells it with a two-dimensional warranty to another customer. The manufacturer plans to inspect the product during the warranty period to identify and remove hidden defects and hence prevent failure as well as their corresponding cost. We describe a two-dimensional delay time model in which the customer’s usage rate affects both the time to defect and delay time. This concept is then used to derive a new class of failure models, namely, the two-dimensional and two-stage failure model. The number and time of inspections are determined to minimize the service cost during the warranty period under periodic and sequential inspection policies. Our approach is illustrated using an example from the automobile industry. A sensitivity analysis evaluates the effect of changes in the parameters of the model. Results indicate that the proposed model can aid the decision-making of a manufacturer, particularly in relation to the effect of customers’ usage and the effect of inspection upon the service cost during the warranty period.

Optimal maintenance and warranty strategy for second-hand product with periodic preventive maintenance action

Optimal maintenance and warranty strategy for second-hand product with periodic preventive maintenance action

Economics of Waste Prevention: Second-Hand Products in Germany

Reuse is still seen as a “niche phenomenon” and consumers seem to waste economic opportunities linked to buying and selling second-hand products. For this reason, this paper focuses on incentives and barriers to sell and buy second-hand products, as indicated in the literature, and applies a theoretical framework of transaction costs to explain the existing consumption patterns. For this paper, a representative online survey was conducted in which 1023 consumers in Germany participated, age 16 and older. The data were analyzed for statistically significant deviations between different groups of economic actors selling or buying second-hand products. Results show that valuable unused products exist in households, but barriers such as uncertainties about the reliability of the buyer or the quality of the product hinder the transition into sustainable consumption. Different forms of transaction costs are important explanatory variables to explain why consumers nevertheless predominantly buy new products, although they are aware that second-hand would save money and make an individual contribution to climate protection.

New clues on contamination and perceived quality of second-hand products

This study investigates if contamination perception of personal second-hand products by the previous owner can be used as a clue by consumers to evaluate its perceived quality. Data were collected through an electronic survey with 332 Brazilian consumers. Descriptive, correlational, one-way ANOVA and General Linear Model tests were performed to analyze the data. The findings confirm that contamination perception can alter the perceived quality of second-hand products and, therefore, be considered an extrinsic clue. However, this relation can be moderated by other factors such as socioeconomic condition, value consciousness and the source-subject of contamination. Although the purchasing of second-hand products is becoming more popular, few studies aim to understand how consumers evaluate the perceived quality of these items.

The opportunity study of PM strategy for second-hand products sold with a two-dimensional warranty

Preventive maintenance (PM) actions could bring the second-hand product to an improved health condition and ensure the product safety during usage. However, performing PM usually involves additional cost and brings financial burdens to both dealers and customers. How to find the trade-off between the benefits and related costs of PM is the main challenge for both sides. In this study, we investigate the opportunity of different PM strategies for second-hand products covered by a two-dimensional warranty from the perspectives of both dealers and customers. In the proposed model, the used product is upgraded before being delivered to the next customer, and then it could be preventively maintained according to different adopted PM strategies. In order to determine the maximum capital that the customer would like to invest in PM activities and the minimum price at which the dealer is willing to provide PM service, the dealer’s expected servicing cost and the customer’s total expected cost during the product lifecycle are derived respectively. In the end, the proposed model is validated through numerical experiments. Based on the numerical results, several practical implications are also given to help dealers in conducting PM strategy.

Optimal return and rebate mechanism based on demand sensitivity to reference price

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>The acceleration of electronic products' upgrade affects consumers' purchase behaviour. How to encourage consumers to return old products in order to upgrade to new products and how to optimize such the closed-loop supply chain are important managerial topics. According to the theory of reference price, the closed-loop supply chain model with fixed rebate and variable rebate is established. The analysis results imply that, when consumers' willingness to return second-hand products depends on manufacturers' rebates and prices of new products, the profit of closed-loop supply chain decreases. In addition, when consumers are sensitive to price difference, enterprises can adopt low profit margin methods to increase new product demand. Furthermore, the profit of the manufacturer is closely related to whether consumers are loss-seeking or loss-averse. Finally, our analysis provides the insights of the relationship between the optimal return and rebate mechanism and the use time of the previous generation of products.</p>

Second-Hand-Clothing Imports in Least-Developed-Countries: The Collapse of Local Clothing Manufacturing and Remedial Measures

Considering the overwhelming global trend of second-hand clothing trade, domestic clothing manufacturing industries in many least developed countries (LDCs) have collapsed. Governments of many LDCs, therefore, have imposed tariff policies on the imports of second-hand clothing. Motivated by the real-world practices, we develop a two-stage Stackelberg supply chain gaming model to study the competition between the locally manufactured new clothing product and the imported second-hand clothing product. We first explore whether import tariff protection can help boost domestic clothing manufacturing industries in LDCs in the light of risk considerations and what the optimal import tariff structure is. We find that in the uncertain LDC market, imposing a high import tariff or a high value-added tax (VAT) on the imported second-hand product may not help local manufacturing. Instead, implementing a carrot-and-sticks (CaS) scheme, which includes an import tariff, a VAT, and an extra incentive, can help. The LDC governments are suggested to adjust the CaS scheme's structure based on factors like risk attitudes of supply chain members, the unit product supply costs, social health risk, and consumer acceptance level of the second-hand product. Finally, we extend our analyses to study the social welfare and the extended importer responsibility (EIR) legislation. We find that if the sterilization cost of the second-hand product is sufficiently low, imposing the EIR legislation in the uncertain LDC market is not beneficial to the domestic clothing manufacturing industry. Specific conditions under which imposing a higher import tariff is beneficial or harmful to the LDC society are identified.

After-sales services, brand equity and purchasing intention to buy second-hand product

Purpose This study aims to examine the concept of brand equity and willingness to buy second-hand products in the automobile context. The customer-based brand equity model is used as a theoretical lens to examine after-sales services, brand credibility and brand loyalty as drivers of brand equity and willingness to buy the second-hand product. Design/methodology/approach A survey questionnaire based on convenience sampling is used to collect the data from the car owners. A total of 433 survey responses were used to empirically test the measures and propositions by using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings The findings suggest that after-sales services are a key factor in developing brand credibility and brand loyalty. Results are also in support of the positive and significant impact of brand credibility and brand loyalty on brand equity and willingness to buy second-hand products. Originality/value Brand equity represents a differential response and preference to marketing efforts that a product obtains as a result of its brand identification. Although practitioners are actively engaged to position themselves as a unique, attractive and strong brand, little is known about the equity of the brand in the case of second-hand products. This study provides an alternate branding view to the academic scholars and to the marketing manager as this study explicitly probes into the effect of after-sales services in developing brand credibility, brand loyalty, brand equity and wiliness to buy second-hand product as an outcome.

Online Consumers’ Brain Activities When Purchasing Second-Hand versus New Products That Are Brand-Name or Brand-Less

It is now common to apply functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore which areas of the human brain are activated during the decision-making process. In the study of consumer behaviors, product brand has been identified as a major factor affecting consumer purchase decisions. Prior studies indicate that the brand had a significant impact on brain activation. However, it is unsure if consumers’ brain activation is also significant when purchasing brand-name second-hand products (SHPs). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to verify the areas of brain neuron activation in the context of online auctions among consumers whose purchasing decisions are affected by an SHP’s brand. The results show that a brain region (i.e., the medial prefrontal cortex) activates significantly when comparing the purchasing decision-making process between new items and SHPs. The activation of the insula is also found when an SHP purchasing decision is made. In addition, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is activated significantly when purchasing brand-name SHPs. However, due to consumers’ preferences for different brands, there is no significant activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

Operation strategy under additional service and refurbishing effort in online second-hand market

Abstract As consumption has increased, the abundance of many second-hand goods has become a thorny problem for consumers, while the improper disposal of used goods poses a considerable threat to the environment. To achieve better recycling of second-hand goods, an increasing number of second-hand trading platform owners have emerged. In this paper, we develop game-theoretic models to study how different operation modes affect the supply chain members’ profits, price-to-performance ratios for consumers, the environment and social welfare. Three types of operation modes are proposed depending on the pricing power and the provider of the service: consignment, resale, and sales-plus-service. We find that under certain conditions, the resale and sales-plus-service modes can yield the greatest profits for the e-trading platform owner and the second-hand product supplier. The consignment mode may not bring the optimal profit to the second-hand product supplier but might offer consumers the best price-to-performance ratio even if the e-trading platform owner’s reputation is low. We also show that the mode is not the best way to sell second-hand goods from the perspective of the environment and that the government should encourage highly reputable e-trading platform owners to undertake sales and services. Moreover, an e-trading platform owner service cost may improve social welfare in the sales-plus-service mode.

Pricing and coordination of waste electrical and electronic equipment under third-party recycling in a closed-loop supply chain

Waste electrical and electronic equipment have the potential environmental risks and resource value simultaneously. So the product recycling is very important. This paper studies on recycling problems of WEEE under the third-party recycling in a closed-loop supply chain. We take the following measures. Firstly, based on classifying the WEEE, we consider a revenue sharing and cost sharing contract as the coordination mechanism. Secondly, under centralized and decentralized decisions, we use the game analysis technology to determine the optimal pricing and profits, respectively. Finally, we conduct the number simulation to illustrate and validate the proposed models and provide managerial insights. The results show that when retailers sell new and second-hand products simultaneously, consumers become more sensitive to recycling prices, the profits of manufacturers, recyclers and CLSC increase. However, the retailers' profits decline.