How Has Gamification in the Production Sector Been Developed in the Manufacturing and Construction Workplaces?

Abstract

This paper investigates how gamification in the workplace has developed from 2016 to 2023 in the production sector and what ethical safeguards have been adopted. The paper presents a state-of-the-art Systematic Literature Review (SRL) performed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify empirical studies involving the adoption of gamification solutions in the manufacturing and construction industries. Twenty-three articles were found and examined regarding the problems evidenced in each workplace, the methodological perspective, the gamification elements considered, the reported psychological and organizational impacts, and the ethical aspects of the research. The SRL highlighted two research gaps: the lack of ethical discussion around the gamification of workplaces and the lack of gamification applications in the construction industry. Only four studies mention ethical issues concerning the participants, and only four studies are related to construction. On the other hand, there is a tendency to use collaborative platforms to share knowledge and increase engagement.