Date of Conferral

2-21-2024

Date of Award

February 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Marlon Sukal

Abstract

Although gamification is an emerging area of study, it is still a relatively new concept in workplaces. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lack of existing literature on the topic of an interpretative, phenomenological analysis approach of private sector staff when gamification is utilized in onboarding processes. Data were collected via 12 individual semistructured interviews of full- or part-time employees at a partner organization in the information technology sector in India. Self-determination theory was used as the conceptual framework of this study. The research questions explored the lived experiences of staff with gamified onboarding programs and how those lived experiences informed their levels of organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Data from this study were analyzed using a seven-step iterative coding approach. The findings of this study indicated that although the concepts of gamification were new to almost all the participants of this study, the participants had a positive experience with the employer’s gamified onboarding program. The gamified onboarding program was motivating to the employees, and this organization provides an engaging, positive culture that results in high levels of organizational commitment and job satisfaction among employees. Future research could explore whether the delivery method of gamified onboarding programs impact levels of engagement and how different cultures may interact with gamified onboarding programs. Results of this study may influence positive social change by informing organizations that integrating a gamified approach in their onboarding programs fosters employee enjoyment at work, and this enjoyment may improve employee engagement throughout private, nonprofit and government organizations alike.

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