The Effects of Digitally Delivered Nudges in a Corporate Wellness Program

Authors

Yash Babar, University of Wisconsin-MadisonFollow
Shawn Curley, University of MinnesotaFollow
Zhihong Ke, Clemson UniversityFollow
De Liu, University of MinnesotaFollow
Zachary Sheffler, University of Massachusetts AmherstFollow

Abstract

We investigate how two digitally delivered nudges, namely light social support (nonverbal cues such as kudos or likes) and motivational messaging, affect employees’ self-reported physical activity in an online, corporate wellness program. Within this unique field setting, using data from several years, we found evidence that both types of nudges provide benefits beyond the effect of cash incentives. However, the effects vary by individual, depending on whether the employee is actively engaging in physical activity, and by time, depending on how long the employee has been in the wellness program. We found light social support to be less effective over time, while motivational messages were found to be more effective with the duration in the program and generally more effective for physically inactive users. Our findings have implications for the design of wellness systems, suggesting different approaches depending on an employee’s current activity level and tenure in the program

Recommended Citation

Babar, Yash; Curley, Shawn; Ke, Zhihong; Liu, De; and Sheffler, Zachary (2023) "The Effects of Digitally Delivered Nudges in a Corporate Wellness Program," Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 24(1), 136-160.
DOI: 10.17705/1jais.00783
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/vol24/iss1/5

DOI

10.17705/1jais.00783