I rather share my knowledge: Applying gamification approach and nudge theory to develop an incentive system

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an approach by understanding how Oil Industries’ Commissioning and Operation Company (OICO) company fostered its knowledge sharing (KS) by using gamification approach and nudge theory. It also ascertains the process and challenges that OICO confronted during its three-year journey for improving its organizational knowledge performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative research method and case study design. Data were collected from several sources, including the first-hand experiences and observations of the author during contributing in the company’s canonical action research, several in-depth face-to-face interviews conducted with the KM Department team members, the data gathered from the company’s KM software and studying the related organizational procedures and documents.

Findings

The results reveal that the gamification approach suits for developing KS reward system and knowledge performance management. It also explains that informing project managers about their project’s knowledge performance accompanied by emoticons would lead to higher supports of KM. The proposed approach by this case study improved the organizational KS and performance by 22 per cent semi-annually.

Practical implications

The described case is detailed deeply and would help KMers to follow it easily. The study would spark some ideas of how to use nudge theory in KM context. Besides, KMers can design a KM reward system based on the explained case.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the KS and KM rewarding system, especially in project-based organizations, as limited studies have been conducted to investigate the roles that the gamification approach can play in this field. Moreover, this is the first time that use of nudge theory and choice architecture is investigated in the context of KM.

Citation

Afshar Jalili, Y. (2020), "I rather share my knowledge: Applying gamification approach and nudge theory to develop an incentive system", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. 50 No. 2, pp. 203-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-04-2019-0052