Gamification at Work

Gamification refers to the application of gaming mechanics in non-game contexts. The increasing use of technology in the workplace has made possible the application of gaming mechanics in a number of different organizational initiatives. However, while some definitions limit gamification to digital applications of gaming mechanics, this limitation overlooks an array of nondigital instances of gamification, thus the broader definition is preferred. Common workplace contexts in which gamification has been applied include employee training and development initiatives, employee selection systems, and workplace engagement programs.

While the kinds of gaming elements used across organizational initiatives vary, common elements that are typically borrowed from traditional games and applied in non-game, workplace contexts include the following:

• Levels: Games are typically broken into ordered sections or units that follow a logical ...