Interview: Two LSM alumni awarded prize for best thesis in Economics and Sustainability category

Two LSM alumni, Baptiste de Gottal and Luis Fernandes Brito, have won one of the prizes for the best dissertation in Digital Transformation. Supervised by Professor Paul Belleflamme, their joint dissertation convinced the jury in the Economics and Sustainability category.

Their dissertation titled “What factors influence consumer’s repair and replacement propensities in the Belgian smartphone sector?” focuses on the propensity of Belgian consumers to have their smartphones repaired, for which they were rewarded with a 1,000€ cheque by Manuel Pallage, CEO at NSI IT Software & Services.

We took this opportunity to ask them a few questions about their remarkable work.

1. Why did you choose this topic?

Luis: I believe it was a mutual decision. Baptiste and I both have a strong interest in this topic, so choosing a topic in relation to sustainability was evident to both of us. Personally, I grew up with a father who always wanted to find all the ways to avoid replacing, then always wanted to repair. Then, Baptiste’s internship allowed us to get a true immersion in a company that repaired smartphones and a concrete vision of the customer choice.

Baptiste: First and foremost, we decided to choose Professor Belleflamme as supervisor because we found his area of research very interesting, we liked his way of working and because he offered the possibility of doing a joint master's thesis. 

In the list of subjects proposed by Professor Belleflamme, there was something to do with the ‘Right to Repair’ and as we read on, the research questions became what it is today. 

With regard to the choice of smartphone as the commodity for our study, there are several factors that can explain this. Firstly, simplicity, because everyone has a smartphone and can therefore more easily imagine being confronted with this choice of repairing or replacing it. Secondly, because the ecological impact of smartphone production is enormous. 

2. What motivated you to apply for this award?

L: To be honest, as it was the inaugural edition of this award, I was unaware that an award related to economy and sustainability existed. It was our thesis supervisor, Professor Belleflamme, who suggested that we apply. 

B: When he suggested it, we didn't hesitate. Beyond the fact that we had nothing to do other than send our master's thesis as it was, we saw it as a unique opportunity. 

3. What does it feel like to receive this award?

B: It was a great honour and a great pride. Receiving this prize and knowing that a jury of experts has decided to elect our master's thesis as the best in our category made me feel something special. 

L: When Manuel Pallage (CEO of NSI) announced our names, I felt immensely proud of our work and the conclusions we reached together. Knowing that our reflection, our way of thinking, and our thesis/research construction were approved by a jury of professors and professionals made me realise that with hard work, motivation, and a subject you are passionate about, you can achieve great things. 

4. Can you describe the experience of writing a master's thesis with another student? Are there any advantages to writing a joint master's thesis?

L: The experience was truly great. Every discussion and debate we had for our master’s thesis was always instructive. It is easy to collaborate with someone when there is a good connection, and you know that any feedback is professional rather than personal. 

I believe the main advantage is the motivation. When you see your partner working on the thesis and coming up with new ideas or information from the literature, it gives you extra energy when you feel demotivated or tired. Another significant advantage is the discussions that bring new ideas to the table. 

B: Working with Luis has always been very easy and we have very different qualities that mix very well and, in my opinion, this was very powerful and a great advantage in doing the master's thesis that we did. 

If I could have two pieces of advice for future students who will have to write a master's thesis, I would say firstly: choose a subject in which you have a great interest. And secondly: don't hesitate to do it with another student if you know and feel deep inside that your collaboration could bring something extra to your master's thesis.

5. What are your professional projects at the moment?

L: I started working in audit at Deloitte in October 2024. It's been four months, and things are going really well. I was lucky enough to go to the USA for two weeks in January for an audit client.

B: I am doing a one-year postgraduate degree in Sports Management at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. I see it as an extension of my management studies and an opportunity to become fluent in Dutch. I hope it will allow me to find my dream job in the management of sports institutions, clubs, federations, etc.

6. With this master's thesis, what conclusions have you reached?

B and L: This master’s thesis has enabled us identify five factors that showed a truly or slightly significant influence on consumer’s propensity to repair their smartphones. These significant factors were: 

• Economic attachment, which is the initial price;
• Repair time and efforts;
• Those related to repair services (the lack of repair services, their possible bad quality, etc)
• Those related to environmental concerns; 
• And consumer’s age; which showed that consumers between 18 and 30 years have a bigger repair propensity that the more than 60. 

Another interesting result was that people perceive the notion of (repair) time very differently, depending particularly on their age. In other words, people who are fully in working life view time very differently from those who are retired. This has led us to the following conclusion: There is an age categories difference in the importance of time and effort on their decision to repair a smartphone. 

The ultimate aim through this master’s thesis was that by identifying these factors and knowing which ones significantly influence consumers' propensity to repair, companies and governments can make better decisions to achieve a more durable society and meet global sustainability goals. We also see this research as the starting point for other more in-depth studies, with a different combination of factors, a focus on a single factor, etc.