Phenomenon of e-waste and systems perspective
First A. Author, Fellow, IEEE, Second B. Author, and Third C. Author, Jr., Member, IEEE
Introduction
With the advancements in technology and the on-set of globalization, the electronic devices and electrical equipments are available easily in required quantities and at a relatively feasible prices. The increase in the technological growth has manifested the growth of using technological appliances and devices that are developed through this advancements in technology. There is a gradual shift in the psychology of the consumers where they always want to stay updated with the technology and hence, with any new product in the market, their customer loyalty transcends from the current old product, device or electronic equipments that they are using to the new device or product launched in the market. With the ease of availability and shifting mind-sets of the people across the globe E-wastes are generated across the globe on a large scale and the rate of increase in their quantities is very high [1].
Hence, it is very important to consider the reasons that are responsible for the generation of e-waste and the interconnection between the different factors that affects its generation. It is equally important to consider the forces that are functioning in the global environment that result in rapid growth of the e-waste in the market [2]. The reasons responsible for the growth of the e-waste and its impacts are discussed in this paper. For this, a Causal Loop Diagram is derived through considering the relationships between the different factors that help in deriving this interrelationship between the causes and reasons that are identified for the increase in the generation of e-waste across the globe.
Causal Loop Diagram (CLD)
A Causal Loop Diagram helps in deriving an interrelationship between the different variables that are considered in the form of nodes and edges. The variables that are used are represented with the help of nodes, while, the links between them are obtained with the help of edges [3].
The origin of the problem of e-waste is derived along with an interconnection between them. The reasons that lead to the generation of these problems are discussed and derived in the paper. It is obtained through deriving an interconnection and links between the different variables that are identified to be affecting the generation of e-waste across the globe.
Key Factors that contribute to the problem of e-waste
The aspect of human psychology and consumer behavior is the aspect leading to the generation of e-waste that is discussed in this paper. The factors that impact the functioning of the human psychology across the electronic equipment industry are taken into consideration. It is with the help of these factors that the system dynamics modelling through the reasons responsible for the generation of e-waste are discussed in this paper. It includes carrying out significant amount of research through determining the important factors of the human psychology that help in making the decision of buying a new technological device or electronic equipment from the market.
Human Psychology and Consumer Behavior
Human Psychology has a significant impact on the generation of e-waste s derived with the help of researches that helped in evaluating the reasons for the generation of e-waste across the globe. Humans are in a constant strive to update themselves as per the technology and the new latest electronic equipments are to be incorporated within their lives at the earliest. Hence, as a result of it, they tend to shift their consumer loyalty from one product and they very easily and quickly purchase a new product that is trending in the market [4]. However, with a greater level of introspection, the need to utilize the new technological equipment or gadgets is to be evaluated and then, the decision of purchasing the electronic equipments is to be made.
The huge shifting in the loyalty of the consumers while they are using different electronic products has been a major factor contributing to the increase in the purchasing of the electronic equipments through the users. However, the shifting in the consumer behavior is also observed due to the advertising and promotion of the new added features in the new electronic equipments or an upgraded version of the old equipment. Hence, the shifting in the customer loyalty and unstable consumer behavior while they are using an electronic equipment is responsible for the tremendous increase in the usage of the electronic equipments which has in turn, increased the generation of e-waste.
Technological Development
Technological Development has not only been a boon, but it has also been a curse while considering some of its drawbacks. It is through the on-set of the technological development that a proper functionality of the actual purpose of technology is neglected. The very purpose of purchasing new products from the market and using the electronic gadgets is merely to stay updated with the latest trends. Any of the new feature that is added in a new electronic device or gadget, leads to the replacement of its initial version that was available in the market. Hence, it is a very common process as observed throughout the market and it is the biggest drawback of the technological advancements. There is a significant increase in the generation of e-waste owing to the communication technologies and the improvement in environmental sustainability across the simulation study [5].
In the last decade, the launching of new technology through the electronic devices used to take a considerable amount of time. But, now, with the tremendous advancements in technology and a cut-throat competition in the global market, companies are launching new products and updated versions of the old products within a very short period of time. For example, one model of Sony phone was launched in January, then its updated version, that is, the next model was launched in March. Hence, it can be observed that the time period between the launching of new versions of the old products has reduced significantly. As a result of this, the older versions tend to be outdated very soon owing to the newer versions that are developed with very short intervals of time.
In this way, technological advancements have contributed to the generation of e-waste through development of innumerable electronic devices that were not required in the market.
Use of electronic equipment
The use of electronic equipment has increased by a great margin. The tasks that were carried out mechanically or manually have now been carried out with the help of electronic equipments. For example, electronic shaver, electronic brush, electronic dishwasher and many other electronic devices have replaced the initial method of carrying out these tasks which was through manual interpretation and mechanical devices without any electronic support. The usage of electronic equipment has increased on the fourfold through the development of new devices for carrying out different tasks with greater efficiency. However, the disposal of these devices is not considered at the time of its inception. Hence, it is a major concern to be handled through the production of the electronic equipments and developing disposal plants or recycling plants where the usable electronic parts of the old devices can be used instead of throwing it in the environment [6].
There has been an increase of about 45% in the usage of electronic gadgets and equipments across the globe. Hence, owing to the tremendous increase in the consumption of electronic equipments, there is a huge potential to generate e-waste through the users in these countries. As a result of the usage of the electronic equipments in large quantities and the increasing dependency of the individuals on the electronic gadgets, there is a tremendous increase proposed in the future.
Population Growth
The growth of population tends to be one of the important factor that has contributed to the increase in the generation of e-waste. The exploitation of the resources increases with the increase in population and as a result of it, there is a tremendous increase in the generation of e-waste across the globe [7]. It is reflected throughout the usage of the electronic equipments observed on a global level.
Five Phases of System Dynamics
System Dynamics help in deriving the relationship across the non-linearity of the complex systems that are framed over for the functioning of the various activities that are carried out through the system [8]. It includes considering the behavior of the different aspects that are present in the functioning of the system and then obtain the relationship between them through the non-linear structure across their working. It is very important to use the stocks, flows, feedback loops, table functions and delays that are an important aspect of the system dynamics.
There are five phases of the system dynamics which are taken into consideration in the paper. They consist of the following:
• Problem structuring,
• Causal Loop modelling,
• Dynamic modelling,
• Scenario Planning and modelling,
• Implementation and organizational learning.
There is a systematic process which is to be followed while considering these five phases of system dynamics. Dynamic modelling includes deriving a relationship between the different factors that affect a complex system through the non-linear nature of its structure. The five phases that are mentioned above are discussed in the following section for the aspect of human psychology and consumer behavior taken into consideration for studying the reasons leading to the generation of e-waste.
Problem Structuring:
The structuring of the problem related to the generation of e-waste across the globe is very crucial to be evaluated and understood through the different factors that are affecting the generation of wastes across the globe. The aspect taken into consideration in this paper includes the human psychology and the shifting nature of consumer behavior observed among the people across the globe. The main challenge is the disposal and recycling of the e-waste that is generation in huge quantities across the globe. It is the most important challenge that is impending to be overcome through the development of technology and other measures of environmental sustainability [9].
Causal Loop Modelling:
Causal Loop Modelling for the problem taken into consideration involves deriving the factors that have contributed to the generation of e-waste across the globe. The relationship between these factors was obtained through the Causal Loop Diagram which has been shown above. There is a positive and negative relationship developed among the variables and the links between them. The presence of nodes and edges is in such a way that the human psychology has a positive impact as well as a negative impact on the generation of e-waste.
Dynamic modelling
The aspects of dynamic modelling help in determining the relationship between the non-linear factors in the research. It helps in determining the flow of the activities and the processes that are carried out through the evaluation of the factors related to it. The main functioning of the system is affected through a number of factors and these factors are studied and derived with the help of dynamic modeling. It includes considering the impact of the factors on the outcome of the process. Hence, for this paper, the dynamic modeling refers to the deriving of relationship between the variables and factors that lead to the generation of e-waste across the globe. It consists of carrying out an evaluation with the help of the non-linear characteristics observed between the different variables that are taken into consideration in the paper.
Scenario Planning and modelling,
Scenario planning helps in deriving the structure through considering the different elements present in the future. There are a number of small scenarios that are taken into consideration for carrying out scenario planning across evaluation of any problem. In this paper, the problem of e-waste is discussed through dividing it into different scenarios ranging from the human factor considerations to the contribution of technological advancements in the generation of e-waste. The use of the electronic equipment is also considered as one of the most important factor that has resulted in increasing the generation of e-waste worldwide [10].
The eight step scenario planning process that is adopted through considering the factors affecting the generation of e-waste throughout the globe provides a deeper understanding of the issue that is taken into consideration. It is shown in the following figure.
The scenario planning starts with the identification of the issue. In this paper, the generation of e-waste across the globe is the primary issue that is considered. It is then followed by determining the key factors that are responsible for it. These factors are determined in the above section. The external and internal forces that affect the generation of e-waste are also determined through evaluating the role of the key factors that impact the generation of e-waste and are the leading causes for its generation across the globe. The scenario logic is then considered and developed through which the factors that lead to the generation of e-waste are to be reconsidered and its impact is determined throughout the handling of the different technological products, devices and gadgets that are used by the consumers. The implication of the options that is used for prevention the generation of e-waste, reducing its generation and helping in proper disposal and recycling of these type of wastes is carried out in the paper. The early indicators related to the generation of e-waste are to be derived in the form of the precautionary measures that are to be taken for reducing the generation of e-waste and developing effective strategies for its recycling.
Implementation and organizational learning.
The implementation of the strategies derived through discussing the impact that the different factors obtained that are responsible for the generation of e-waste is to be carried out through organizational learning. All the organizations across the globe needs to have a greater introspection rather than merely generating profits, where it needs to take special care about the generation of e-waste from the electronic products and gadgets that are produced by them. It is with the help of these factors that a proper implementation strategy and initiatives that affect the generation of e-waste. The scenario planning and modelling shown in the above section is to be utilized for implementation and organizational learning across the different factors that are affecting the development of human psychology and the nature of the consumer behavior among the people throughout the world.
Data from publicly available sources
There is about seven lac tonnes of e-waste generated in India. In other countries like China, it is even higher. Hence, there is a need to tackle the problem of generation of e-waste in these countries where, population exploitation is already a big problem. The problem of generation of e-waste throughout the handling of the electronic equipments across the globe is to be handled through considering the problem of its disposal right at the time of its production [11]. There are special tips and techniques which can be mentioned on the catalogues of these products which will guide the users to carry a proper disposal of the electronic equipments from the market.
Majority of the electronic products and equipments are purchased owing to its need that is generated with the help of promotions and advertisements through different platforms. The users across the globe are attracted to the added functionality in the product and as a result, they tend to impact the generation of e-waste across the usage of these equipments for a very short interval of time [12]. The introduction of new versions of the old products and the technological upgradations in them have a huge role in the shifting consumer behavior among the users across the world. As a result of it, the basic factors that are to be carried out through the electronic products is neglected and all the focus is on that one or very few added functionalities or features in the product.
A huge percent of the global population is willing to participate and engage in the recycling of e-waste across the globe. It was derived by few researchers by carrying out a research with the help of survey of the households in US [13]. A significant part of the participants sowed their concerns about the using f recycling techniques for the handling of e-waste across their vicinity.
Conclusion
Hence, the problem of generation of e-waste is faced through all the countries across the globe and the reasons that have a significant contribution in it are derived in the paper. It was observed that human psychology and consumer behavior had an imperative role in the generation of e-waste throughout the globe. The need to develop a new product and launch it in the market is to be evaluated and analyzed by the companies that produce the electronic gadgets and products. They need to take care of the time intervals in which the new versions of the electronic devices are launched in the global market. The consumer all over the world need to ensure that they purchase electronic equipments after evaluating the need for purchasing. It needs to be critically analyzed with the usage of the old product or any other product that provides the basic functionalities required by the consumers.
Along with it, the tremendous increase in the technological development was also identified as a significant aspect that led to the generation of e-waste across the globe. The need to develop new technological gadgets and launching them in the global markets was crucial to be determined while launching new products in the market. The growth in population also contributed immensely to the generation of e-waste across the globe. The variables that impacted the generation of e-waste through the reasons responsible for it are derived with the help of a CLD. The relationship between them is also obtained.
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