Gamification and Self-Determination Theory: Enhancing Employee Motivation and Performance in Digital Banking Workplaces

Abstract: This paper explores the intersection of gamification and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the context of digital banking workplaces. With the rise of digital transformation in the banking sector, maintaining employee engagement and performance has become a critical challenge. Gamification, the application of game-design elements in non-game contexts, offers a novel approach to address this issue. This research investigates how gamification can fulfill SDT's core psychological needs autonomy, competence, and relatedness to enhance intrinsic motivation and employee performance. Utilizing a secondary data approach, the study synthesizes existing literature to develop a conceptual model linking gamified elements with SDT constructs in banking environments. The paper concludes with implications for managerial practice and proposes directions for future research in gamified workplace design.