Play online, work better? Examining the spillover of active learning and transformational leadership

In this 1-month, longitudinal study we examined how participating in massively multiplayer online role-playing games affects users’ real-life employment. For 79 employees, we tested spillover effects from gaming to work in relation to active learning and transformational leadership. Furthermore, we investigated the moderating role of game performance in these spillover effects. Results of hierarchical regression analyses showed that active learning spills over from game to work only under conditions of enhanced game performance, while bad performance reduces this effect. Furthermore, results supported the direct spillover of transformational leadership, as well as the boosting effect of high game performance in this spillover effect. These results provide further insights with regard to spillover processes, and suggest that virtual games may be of relevance for the development of new organizational training techniques.

► Longitudinal study examining how MMORPGs affect real-life employment behaviors. ► In-game active learning spills over to work only under enhanced game performance. ► Support for the direct spillover of transformational leadership from games to work. ► High game performance boosts the spillover of transformational leadership.