The self-healing ability of durable consumer goods through preventive maintenance behavior

PurposeIn this study, the focus was shifted from repairing durable goods to achieving healthier ecology, making durable goods more secure in turn. This study introduced preventive maintenance behavior to trace the ex-post control of “curling” back to the ex-post control of “self-healing.” This study tries to close the gap between the human repair of machines and their “self-curing.” Finally, the author makes the machines healthier.Design/methodology/approachThe paper constructed a mathematical model of preventive maintenance behavior during a specific period for durable consumer goods. The author builds a simulation function of the two-stage preventative maintenance behavior relations. The study used simulations to analyze the influencing relationship and differences between three preventive maintenance behavior elements to basic warranty preventive maintenance (BWPM) behavior and extended warranty preventive maintenance (EWPM) behavior.FindingsBoth BWPM behavior and EWPM behavior were affected by the preventive maintenance (PM) behavioral components in different ways. The influence paths of the two warranty periods affected by PM behavior were also different.Research limitations/implicationsThis study introduced PM behavior to trace the ex-post control of “curling” back to the ex-post control of “self-healing.” This study adopted the human–machine interaction mode to improve durable goods' self-healing ability during operation and enable a more effective and sustainable development.Practical implicationsThis study’s conclusions may help manufacturers guide PM behavior in a way that achieves “self-healing” of the durable goods.Originality/valueThe author opened a “black box” of PM behaviors and analyzed their components. The internal structure relation of PM behavior is built and the closed-loop system of spatial structure is formed.