Purchasing behaviour (Sustainability & Take Back Programs)


This survey is for a semester project for the Masters program Circular Innovation and Sustainability at Berner Fachhochschule (BFH). In this semester project the importance and value of sustainability and take back programs of laboratory instruments are investigated. The purpose of this survey is to gain an insight into the purchasing behavior regarding laboratory instruments and what influence sustainability and take back programs play when purchasing an instrument. A take back program is the offer of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) company of the laboratory instrument to take back the instrument when it is no longer wanted and the OEM company takes care of the disposal or reuse of the instrument for no additional fee.

Welcome to the survey about purchasing behavior of laboratory instruments in relation to sustainability and take back programs! The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to fill out. Thank you for your participation in advance.

There are 8 questions in this survey.

Purchasing behaviour for laboratory instruments

Purchasing behavior

What is your position in the company?

How important is sustainability for you when purchasing something?

I never look at the sustainability of a product.
I rarely think of sustainability as a criterion when purchasing a product.
If two products cost the same, I will choose the product that is more sustainable.
I like to buy sustainable products, and I am willing to spend 10% more if the product is more sustainable.
I will always choose the more sustainable product regardless of the price.

How important is sustainability in your department at work?

Sustainability is never discussed in our department.
Sustainability is discussed no more than 5 times a year.
Sustainability is discussed, but decisions are based on cost or factors other than sustainability.
Sustainability is considered in over half of the decisions made in the department.
Sustainability is considered in all of the decisions made in the department.

Do you have any personal freedom to choose when purchasing a new instrument?

How important is sustainability in your department at work when purchasing a new instrument for the laboratory?

Sustainability is not a criterion when purchasing an instrument.
The sustainability of the instrument is sometimes looked at, but the less expensive instrument is chosen.
When two instruments cost the same amount, the more sustainable instrument is purchased.
Sustainability is important, and the department is willing to pay 10% more for a more sustainable instrument.
Sustainability is the most important criterion when purchasing a new instrument.
How important is it that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) company of the instrument offers the possibility to take back the instrument when it breaks, or your department no longer wants the instrument?
A take back program is not important at all, and if it existed, we would not participate in it.
A take back program is not something we look for, but if it is included in the instrument that is the lowest cost we would consider participating.
A take back program is a benefit if it does not cost more, and we would partake if it was offered.
It is important that the original manufacturer takes back the instrument and we are willing to pay 10% more if this program is offered.
A take back option from the original manufacturer is a must have.
How likely is your department to purchase an instrument from a company that offers the possibility to take back the instrument when it breaks, or you no longer want it?
We would not purchase an instrument from a company offering a take back program.
We would purchase an instrument from a company only if it is the least expensive instrument on the market.
We would purchase an instrument from a company that offers a take back program if this instrument would cost the same as another instrument from a company which does not offer a take back program.
We would be willing to pay 10% more for an instrument which is sold by a company which offers a take back program.
We will only purchase an instrument from a company that offers a take back program.

Does a take back program of a broken or unused instrument offer additional value to your department?