João Reis, Vasco Ribeiro Santos, Marlene Amorim and Nuno Melão

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-7092.2019.08.149

Published: 31 December 2019

Abstract: Digital service systems are changing the world as we know it, enabling companies to embrace new forms of relationship with their customers. The aim of this article is to propose a categorization of service failures in digital service systems and an illustration of recovery solutions based on life situations. Thus, this article used an exploratory case study research conducted in a Portuguese private bank. Data collection involved multiple sources, such as semi-structured interviews, customer complaints from an online database, and direct observation. The case revealed that digital service systems are not failure proof and service failures are inevitable. As a result, companies are struggling to consistently maintain high service standards across all channels and, for that purpose, have essentially invested on automated interactions. On the other hand, humanized recovery solutions are expected to enable organizations to make significant progress, including prevention and corrective actions, that will mitigate the perception of poor service delivery. While current studies tend to focus on what is going wrong in digital engagement, researchers have hitherto not investigated sufficiently this digital breakdown and the subsequent recovery solutions.

Keywords: Digital service systems, service failure, recovery solutions, channels, case study.

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Marta Correia Sampaio, Maria José Sousa and Andreia Dionísio

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-7092.2019.08.150

Published: 31 December 2019

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present a systematic literature review that synthesizes the investigations made into the use of Gamification in Knowledge Management processes in recent years, and a conceptual model for analysis of the Gamification of Knowledge Management Systems.

Theories: Since the last decade the Gamification - defined by the application of game design principles in a non-game context - as a management practice has become increasingly challenging for researchers. At the height of the Knowledge Age, in which we live today, knowledge and the organizational capacity to create, disseminate and retain it is one of the most important sources of competitive advantage for organizations. As employees’ knowledge is critical for companies, it is essential to find effective mechanisms to encourage collaborators to share knowledge. In this field, gamification is a dynamic to be considered as an enabler of successful knowledge management systems.

Methodology: A systematic review of the literature was carried out, analyzing the scientific articles obtained through electronic databases, manual research and the cross-referencing of bibliographic references to identify and synthesize studies on the use of gamification in Knowledge Management processes in the period from 2015 to 2018.

Results: This study demonstrates that the use of gamification in knowledge management processes has a positive impact on employees’ motivation and involvement with these systems, while promoting the creation, transfer and sharing of knowledge in the organization. A conceptual model for the gamification of knowledge management systems is proposed, intended to be a valid contribution to the operationalization of future studies on the link between gamification and knowledge management.

Keywords: Gamification, Knowledge management, Literature review.

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