Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gamification in the Workplace: A Systematic Literature Review

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Recent Advances in Information Systems and Technologies (WorldCIST 2017)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 571))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

Gamification has increasingly been applied to various life domains and environments, including work and the workplace. Accordingly, research on gamification has grown considerably in the past years. This study presents a systematic review of the theoretical and empirical literature produced in the past 11 years about the application of gamification to the work domain. We analyze the available literature about why gamification is important in work and human resources management, how it can be guided, and which are the examples of gamification in this domain. The systematic review was based on 35 articles, including theoretical papers, empirical (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods) studies, case studies, and other types of papers (presentation of new resources for gamification). Findings are summarized in terms of the sample, country of the study, study type, main results, and gamification and work dimensions associated. The results show that research on the applications of gamification in the workplace is scarce and mostly exploratory. Most studies were conducted using quantitative methods, but with small samples and simple research designs. Although the literature suggests evidence for the usefulness and appropriateness of gamification in the workplace, there are significant limitations in the research, translating a gap between HR practitioners’ concerns and academic developments in this field.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Cassone, V.: Mimicking gamers: understanding gamification through roger caillois games and culture, 1–21 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Burston, J., Dyer-Witheford, N., Hearn, A.: Digital labour: workers, authors, citizens. Ephemera: Theory Polit. Organiz. 10, 3–4 (2010). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  3. Walz, S.P., Deterding, S.: An introduction to the gameful world. In: Walz, S.P., Deterding, S. (eds.) The Gameful World: Approaches, Issues, Applications, pp. 1–13. MIT Press, Cambridge & London (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Marlow, S.L., Salas, E., Landon, L.B., Presnell, B.: Eliciting teamwork with game attributes: a systematic review and research agenda. Comput. Hum. Behav. 55, Part A, 413–423 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Oprescu, F., Jones, C., Katsikitis, M.: I play at work: ten principles for transforming work processes through gamification. Front. Psychol. 5, 1–5 (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Jahoda, P.: Gamification and other forms of play. Boundary 2 40(2), 113–144 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Singh, S.P.: Gamification: a strategic tool for organizational effectiveness. Int. J. Manag. 1, 108–113 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Mollick, E.R., Rothbard, N.: Mandatory fun: consent, gamification and the impact of games at work. In: The Wharton School Research Paper Series (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mollick, E., Werbach, K.: Gamification and the enterprise. In: Walz, S.P., Deterding, S. (eds.) The Gameful World: Approaches, Issues, Applications, pp. 439–458. MIT Press, Cambridge & London (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cassone, V.: Lude et labora. Notes on gamification at work. Perform. Res. 21(4), 101–107 (2016). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chou, Y.: A comprehensive list of 90+ gamification cases with ROI stats (2015). http://yukaichou.com/gamification-examples/gamification-stats-figures/

  12. Swacha, J.: Gamification in enterprise information systems: what, why and how. In: 2016 Federated Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems, pp. 1229–1233. IEEE, New York (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bardin, L.: L’analyse de contenu [Content analysis]. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D.G.: The PRISMA group: preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med. 6(7), e1000097 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Smith, R.: The future of work is play: global shifts suggest rise in productivity games. In: 2011 IEEE International Games Innovation Conference, pp. 40–43. IEEE Press, New York (2011). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kim, S.: Decision support model for introduction of gamification solution using ahp. Sci. World J. (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  17. Thom, J., Millen, D., DiMicco, J.: Removing gamification from an enterprise SNS. In: ACM 2012 Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, pp. 1067–1070. ACM, New York (2012). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  18. Depura, K., Garg, M.: Application of online gamification to new hire onboarding. In: Proceedings of the 2012 Third International Conference on Services in Emerging Markets (ICSEM), 153–156. IEEE (2012). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  19. He, J., Bron, M., Azzopardi, L., De Vries, A.: Studying user browsing behavior through gamified search tasks. Paper presented at the ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  20. PeThan, E.P.P., Goh, D.H.L., Lee, C.S.: Making work fun: investigating antecedents of perceived enjoyment in human computation games for information sharing. Comput. Hum. Behav. 39, 88–99 (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Stanculescu, L.C., Bozzon, A., Sips, R.J., Houben, G.J.: Work and play: an experiment in enterprise gamification. In: 19th ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work & Social Computing, pp. 346–358. ACM, New York (2016). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kampker, A., Deutskens, C., Deutschmann, K., Maue, A., Haunreiter, A.: Increasing ramp-up performance by implementing the gamification approach. Paper presented at the Procedia CIRP (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  23. Korn, O., Funk, M., Abele, S., Hörz, T., Schmidt, A.: Context-aware assistive systems at the workplace. Analyzing the effects of projection and gamification. Paper Presented at the ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  24. Korn, O., Boffo, S., Schmidt, A.: The effect of gamification on emotions - the potential of facial recognition in work environments. In: Kurosu, M. (ed.) HCI 2015. LNCS, vol. 9169, pp. 489–499. Springer, Cham (2015). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20901-2_46. Papers integrated in results

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  25. Korn, O., Funk, M., Schmidt, A.: Towards a gamification of industrial production. A comparative study in sheltered work nvironments. In: Paper Presented at the EICS 2015 - Proceedings of the 2015 ACM SIGCHI Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  26. Schmidt, R., Schmidt, B., Lattenkamp, K., Scheja, S., Masuch, M.: Motivational design cards: a practical approach for game-based motivational design at the workplace. In: Academic MindTrek 2015 - Proceedings of the 19th International Academic Mindtrek Conference, pp. 10–17. ACM, New York (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  27. Senderek, R., Brenken, B., Stich, V.: The implementation of game based learning as part of the corporate competence development. In: 2015 International Conference on Interactive Collaborative and Blended Learning (ICBL), pp. 44–51. IEEE Press, New York (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  28. Dale, S.: Gamification: making work fun, or making fun of work? Bus. Inf. Rev. 31(2), 82–90 (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Jurado, J.L., Collazos, C.A., Paredez, L.M.: Collaborative framework for the management of knowledge: an approach from gamification techniques. Paper Presented at the ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  30. Oravec, J.A.: Gamification and multigamification in the workplace: expanding the ludic dimensions of work and challenging the work/play dichotomy. Cyberpsychology 9 (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  31. Suh, A.: Applying game design elements in the workplace. In: 2015 International Conference on Information Systems: Exploring the Information Frontier, pp. 1–11 (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  32. Azadegan, A., Riedel, J.C.K.H.: Serious games integration in company: a research and application framework. In: Proceedings of the 12th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, pp. 485–487 (2012). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  33. Kanat, I.E., Siloju, S., Raghu, T.S., Vinze, A.S.: Gamification of emergency response training: a public health example. Paper Presented at 2013 Intelligence and Security Informatics (ISI) IEEE International Conference – Proceedings (2013). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  34. Bozgeyikli, L., Bozgeyikli, E., Clevenger, M., Gong, S., Raij, A., Alqasemi, R., Dubey, R.: VR4VR: towards vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities in immersive virtual reality environments. Paper presented at the 2014 2nd Workshop on Virtual and Augmented Assistive Technology, VAAT 2014; Co-located with the 2014 Virtual Reality Conference – Proceedings (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  35. Moradian, A., Leung, R., Nasir, M., Sim, S.E., Lyons, K.: Gamification of collaborative idea generation and convergence. In: Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1459–1464 (2014). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  36. Hyypia, M., Parjanen, S.: Gamification as an intervention method in practice-based innovation. Int. J. Innov. Technol. Manag. 12(4), 1–22 (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Albadan, J., Gaona, P., Montenegro, C.: Assessment model in a selection process based in gamification. IEEE Latin Am. Trans. 14(6), 2789–2794 (2016). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Brouwer, R.: When competition is the loser: the indirect effect of intra-team competition on team performance through task complexity, team conflict and psychological safety. Paper presented on 49th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) (2016). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  39. Oliveira, A., Caetano, N., Botega, L.C., Araújo, R.B.: A head-up display with augmented reality and gamification for an e-maintenance system: using interfaces and gamification to motivate workers in procedural tasks. In: Yamamoto, S. (ed.) HCI 2015. LNCS, vol. 9173, pp. 499–510. Springer, Cham (2015). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20618-9_50. Papers integrated in results

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  40. Pinheiro, A., Patta, E.Z., Zaggia, J.: Gamification to expand awareness about stress and its impacts within companies: gamification eustress and distress. In: CEUR Workshop Proceedings, pp. 22–31 (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  41. Kumar, H., Raghavendran, S.: Gamification, the finer art: fostering creativity and employee engagement. J. Bus. Strategy 36(6), 3–12 (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Yilmaz, M., O’Connor, R.V.: A Srumban integrated gamification approach to guide software process improvement: a Turkish case study. Tehnicki Vjesnik-Technical Gazette 23, 237–245 (2016). Papers integrated in results

    Google Scholar 

  43. Dorling, A., McCaffery, F.: The gamification of SPICE. In: Mas, A., Mesquida, A., Rout, T., O’Connor, R.V., Dorling, A. (eds.) SPICE 2012. CCIS, vol. 290, pp. 295–301. Springer, Heidelberg (2012). doi:10.1007/978-3-642-30439-2_35. Papers integrated in results

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  44. Medeiros, D.B., Neto, P.D.A.D.S., Passos, E.B., De Souza Araújo, W.: Working and playing with scrum. Int. J. Softw. Eng. Knowl. Eng. 25(6), 993–1015 (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Sarangi, S., Shah, S.: Individuals, teams and organizations score with gamification: tool can help to motivate employees and boost performance. Hum. Resour. Manag. Int. Digest 23, 24–27 (2015). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Chamorro-Premuzic, T., Winsborough, D., Sherman, R.A., Hogan, R.: New talent signals: shiny new objects or a brave new world? Ind. Organ. Psychol. 9(3), 621–640 (2016). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Tansley, C., Hafermalz, E., Dery, K.: Talent development gamification in talent selection assessment centres. Eur. J. Train. Dev. 40, 490–512 (2016). Papers integrated in results

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Rynes, S., Giluk, T., Brown, K.: The very separate worlds of academic and practitioner periodicals in human resource management: implications for evidence-based management. Acad. Manag. J. 50, 987–1008 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Wright, A., Zammuto, R., Liesch, P., Middleton, S., Hibbert, P., Burke, J., Brazil, V.: Evidence-based management in practice: opening up the decision process, decision-maker and context. Br. J. Manag. 27, 161–178 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Rousseau, D.M.: Is there such a thing as ‘evidence-based management’? Acad. Manag. Rev. 31, 256–269 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Rousseau, D.M.: The Oxford Handbook of Evidence Based Management. Oxford University Press, New York (2012)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  52. REF Report: The nature, scale and beneficiaries of research impact: an initial analysis of Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 impact case studies. King’s College London and Digital Science, London. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/policy-institute/publications/Analysis-of-REF-impact.pdf/

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Portucalense Institute of Neuropsychology and Cognitive And Behavioral Neurosciences, Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 541, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal

    Ana Teresa Ferreira, Alexandra M. Araújo, Sandra Fernandes & Isabel Cerca Miguel

Authors
  1. Ana Teresa Ferreira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexandra M. Araújo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sandra Fernandes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Isabel Cerca Miguel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Teresa Ferreira .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. DEI/FCT, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Baixo Mondego, Portugal

    Álvaro Rocha

  2. Nova IMS, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

    Ana Maria Correia

  3. College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Hojjat Adeli

  4. DSI/EEUM, Universidade do Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Luís Paulo Reis

  5. DIMES, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy

    Sandra Costanzo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Cite this paper

Ferreira, A.T., Araújo, A.M., Fernandes, S., Miguel, I.C. (2017). Gamification in the Workplace: A Systematic Literature Review. In: Rocha, Á., Correia, A., Adeli, H., Reis, L., Costanzo, S. (eds) Recent Advances in Information Systems and Technologies. WorldCIST 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 571. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56541-5_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56541-5_29

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56540-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56541-5

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation