The culture of planned obsolescence in technology companies

Abstract

The topic of this thesis is planned obsolescence; it is a research based thesis involving no commissioner. The objectives of this thesis was to gain knowledge and understanding of the theory behind obsolescence; to try to understand the broadness of the topic and how it can be extended to work well with a more contemporary approach to consumerism. Research was carried out to answer questions on what psychological methods are adopted to influence consumers to adapt to the model of obsolescence, and what are the side-effects of obsolescence to the environment.

With little academic works written on the subject, information available was slim. Choosing information that was critical to the work was difficult, but one book called Made to Break by Giles Slade was influential in one’s understanding of the topic, however giving no glimpse on how one could improve the current model.

It was decided, that after working with each type of obsolescence, it was the consumers that have become overwhelmingly influential in today’s notion of obsolescence. This directed the thesis to extend the current model and update it to now include the chapter ‘Consumer led Obsolescence’ or CLO.

Social media has created a generation of consumers that now have a voice that the companies have to listen to. This generation is forward with their opinions, and is taking a strong interest in current and next generation goods.

The environmental issues were an important stepping stone to understand what must be done to make obsolescence an acceptable approach to business. It was hypothesized that if companies consider the environment by making products that are safer and greener then obsolescence can prosper, without being considered as a burden to the environment.