Using gamification to stimulate employee innovation

Abstract

In today's global economy, marked by intense competition, fast-evolving technology, shifting political dynamics, and ever-changing consumer tastes, innovation is crucial. It's not only a major driver for the prolonged success of organizations but also an essential requirement for their sustainable growth. However, despite the widely accepted understanding of the importance of innovation, stimulating innovative activity at the individual employee level often faces a range of organizational and psychological barriers, making this task quite complex and multifaceted. In this regard, this article conducts an in-depth analysis of gamification as an innovative and promising approach to stimulating employee innovative activity. The article explores four main strategies of gamification from the perspective of economic theories and management principles: methods based on incentives; methods focusing on competition; approaches that emphasize identity; and methods centered on recognition and feedback. For each of these methods, their advantages, limitations, and examples of real-world application in leading companies across various industries are presented. Additionally, the article emphasizes the strategic importance of investing in corporate education. The importance is emphasized that such investments not only enhance the skills of employees but also lay the groundwork for a culture of innovation. This culture, in turn, establishes the organization's long-term competitive advantages. The article proposes a comprehensive, flexible, and adaptive approach to the selection and application of gamification methods. This approach can be individualized and adapted in accordance with the corporate culture, strategic goals, and available resources of each specific organization, making it the most effective tool for stimulating innovation in the workplace.