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Gamification of Labor and the Charge of Exploitation

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  • Tae Wan Kim

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

Abstract

Recently, business organizations have increasingly turned to a novel form of non-monetary incentives—that is, “gamification,” which refers to a motivation technique using video game elements, such as digital points, badges, and friendly competition in non-game contexts like workplaces. The introduction of gamification to the context of human resource management has immediately become embroiled in serious moral debates. Most notable is the accusation that using gamification as a motivation tool, employers exploit workers. This article offers an in-depth analysis of the moral charge of exploitation. This article maintains that there are no clear grounds for believing that gamification of labor is exploitative and that if gamification of labor involves a wrong or vice, it must be something other than exploitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Tae Wan Kim, 2018. "Gamification of Labor and the Charge of Exploitation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 27-39, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:152:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3304-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3304-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nick Butler & Sverre Spoelstra, 2024. "Redemption Through Play? Exploring the Ethics of Workplace Gamification," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(2), pages 259-270, August.
    2. B. I. J. M. Van der Heijden & M. J. Burgers & A. M. Kaan & B. F. Lamberts & K. Migchelbrink & R. C. P. M. Van den Ouweland & T. Meijer, 2020. "Gamification in Dutch Businesses: An Explorative Case Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, December.
    3. Leclercq, Thomas & Poncin, Ingrid & Hammedi, Wafa, 2020. "Opening the black box of gameful experience: Implications for gamification process design," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    4. Aurélie Leclercq Vandelannoitte, 2021. "The new paternalism? The workplace as a place to work-and to live," Post-Print hal-03328163, HAL.
    5. Kirsten Martin & Ari Waldman, 2023. "Are Algorithmic Decisions Legitimate? The Effect of Process and Outcomes on Perceptions of Legitimacy of AI Decisions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(3), pages 653-670, March.
    6. Thomas Leclercq & Ingrid Poncin & Wafa Hammedi, 2020. "Opening the black box of gameful experience: Implications for gamification process design," Post-Print hal-02510199, HAL.
    7. Marc Schlömmer & Teresa Spieß & Stephan Schlögl, 2021. "Leaderboard Positions and Stress—Experimental Investigations into an Element of Gamification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-20, June.
    8. Francine Tremblay, 2021. "Labouring in the Sex Industry: A Conversation with Sex Workers on Consent and Exploitation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-20, March.
    9. Craig Reeves & Matthew Sinnicks, 2024. "Totally Administered Heteronomy: Adorno on Work, Leisure, and Politics in the Age of Digital Capitalism," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(2), pages 285-301, August.

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