29.10.2018 00:00
Problem-Solving with Games – Gamification Engages and Motivates Employees
Photo: Mikko Viitapohja
The fundamental purpose of gamification is to solve problems. That is what makes games motivating.
Gamification has become a popular trend among companies. At best, gamification motivates employees and encourages them to engage with their work and the organisation. Gamification can also be used as a means for acquiring information.
– Although gamification is a major trend, it should not be used just for the sake of it. You need to know what you want to accomplish in order to be able to use gamification to solve a specific problem. At work, games and applications should be fast, simple, and motivating at the same time in order for the employees to be willing to use them, says postdoctoral researcher Pauliina Tuomi and research assistant Kati Fager from the University Consortium of Pori.
According to the researchers, gamification can be implemented in many different ways and can therefore be used in any field or organisation.
– Gamification does not mean that you need to design a game. You can start with something small. Gamification means incorporating game-like elements, such as feedback or rewards, into work tasks, adds postdoctoral researcher Jaana-Maija Koivisto.
SIMPLICITY IS KEY
The University Consortium of Pori is in the final stages of completing its two gamification projects. In the first project, gamification was used to improve the wellbeing of employees working in the cleaning and property maintenance industries. The second project was carried out in collaboration with nurses. The aim was to develop a method for obtaining feedback from both the nurses and patients.
– The purpose of incorporating game-like elements into cleaning and property maintenance work was to make the fields more attractive. New employees are typically young, so gamification is particularly suited to this target group, says Kati Fager.
The second project included designing an inquiry which enabled the nurses to assess their work day. In addition, a mobile-based test was designed for the patients in order to determine whether they have received appropriate guidance and counselling during their treatment.
– Both projects were based on simple solutions. A game does not need to be complicated to be good. If an employee can only devote two minutes to a game, there is no need to come up with anything overly complex, says Pauliina Tuomi.
Details
Field: A multidisciplinary science and art community comprised of four universities
Experts: 170
Students: 2,000
Graduates: Approx. 175 masters graduates / engineers annually
University Consortium of Pori (UCPori)
Office address: Pohjoisranta 11 A, Pori
Postal address: P.O. Box 181, FI-28101 Pori
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