Playing to Win: A Case Study of Gamified Digital Transformation in the News Industry

Abstract

Digital transformations often struggle due to employee resistance and low engagement. Gamification, incorporating game elements into non-game settings, tackles these issues. This study explored gamification's impact on a news organization's digital transformation. A gamification technique implemented with 164 journalists for five months. Results showed a significant increase in digital transformation metrics, indicating successful behavior change. Points, rankings, and badges were the most effective elements. Surveys confirmed this, with 80% of participants finding it appealing and 83.7% more interested in learning new digital methods. This research shows gamification can be a powerful tool for successful digital transformation by driving positive behavior changes, increasing engagement, and reducing resistance to change. These findings offer valuable insights for organizations undergoing digital transformations.