Consumer Behavior in Product Disposal: Mapping the Field

Abstract: The disposal of products within the framework of the discipline of consumer behavior is a decision-making process. In this process, consumers make at least two decisions: the first to stop using a still usable product and the second to select a disposal method. Among the most common methods of disposal are storing products, giving them away, donating them, selling them, or throwing them away. The main difference between disposal and recycling behavior is that in the former the product is still usable, while in the latter the decision is regarding the waste of a product. Product disposal behavior has notable consequences for both consumers and society, which is why a growing number of academics have been attracted to this field of study. Given the growing body of literature that is being generated, the present study aims to generate an image of the body of existing documents on this subject in order to guide future research. The present study used the Scopus database to search for content, as it is a database that presents a good balance of quality and coverage. The search keywords were disposal AND {consumer behavior}. The search was carried out in November 2021. The results were limited only to literature generated in English. As a result, 158 documents were obtained. On this basis of documents, the present study carried out various bibliometric analyses. There is an increasing annual trend in the number of publications (19 in 2019, 29 in 2020, and 39 in 2021). The United States and its institutions are the main countries of affiliation of the authors. Additionally, the European Commission is the main funder. In order to determine the main topics of interest of the research, an analysis of the co-occurrence of words in the contents of the titles and abstracts was carried out using the VOSviewer software. The results showed the existence of three content clusters: 1) decision-making for disposal, 2) types of products disposed of, highlighting electronics, clothing, and food, and 3) social and environmental implications of the disposal of products. The current study ends by discussing the implications of these results.

Keywords: Consumer behavior, product disposal, product disposition

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002265

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