Acceptable Nudge Strategies to Incentivize the Use of Wearables and Physiolytics at Work: A Q-Methodology Examination

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_9E6B71E79F5C
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Acceptable Nudge Strategies to Incentivize the Use of Wearables and Physiolytics at Work: A Q-Methodology Examination
Journal
Journal of Information Technology
Author(s)
Mettler Tobias, Stepanovic Stefan
Publication state
In Press
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Language
english
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the pressure on organizations to ensure health and safety in the workplace. An increasing number of organizations are considering wearables and physiolytics devices as part of their safe return to work programs so as to comply with governments’ accountability rules. As with other technologies with ambivalent use (i.e. simultaneously beneficial and harmful), the introduction of these devices in work settings is met with skepticism. In this context, nudging strategies as a way of using design, information, and other ways to manipulate behaviors (system 1 nudge) and choices (system 2 nudge) has gained traction and is often applied alongside the introduction of ambivalent technologies with the aim to ‘nudge’ their use. While the feasibility of different nudge strategies is often studied from only a managerial perspective, where employees' volitional autonomy and dignity is often treated as secondary, we explore which nudges are acceptable from the perspectives of ordinary workers. Using Q-methodology as a more evolutionary and participatory way to design nudges, we describe five basic strategies that are (to varying degrees) acceptable to them: (a) positive reinforcement and fun, (b) controlling the organizational environment, (c) self-responsibility, (d) collective responsibility, and (e) adapting the individual environment. Our findings show that there is a wide range of viewpoints on what is being considered an acceptable nudge and stress the importance of a transparent, equal dialogue between those who design nudges and potential nudgees.
Keywords
Connected devices, health monitoring, IS ethics, nudging, physiolytics, Q-methodology, surveillance, wearables
Open Access
Yes
Funding(s)
Swiss National Science Foundation / Programmes / 187429
Create date
17/04/2023 16:40
Last modification date
17/05/2023 6:55
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