On August 26, 2026, Martin Kinitzki successfully defended his PhD thesis. The thesis's topic was „Model-driven Approach for Domain-specific Configuration of Serious Games to Disseminate Digitalization Knowledge to SME Decision Makers“. Reviewers were Prof. Dieter Hertweck (Reutlingen University), Prof. Michael Fellmann, and Prof. Kurt Sandkuhl (both Rostock University).
Abstract
Model-driven Approach for Domain-specific Configuration of Serious Games to Disseminate Digitalization Knowledge to SME Decision Makers
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) face significant challenges in their digital transformation journeys, primarily due to a persistent knowledge gap among decision makers. This dissertation addresses this problem by proposing a model-driven approach for the domain-specific configuration of a serious game designed to disseminate digitalization knowledge. Following the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, the research developed a solution artifact grounded in a serious game reference model, the RAGE architecture, to ensure modularity, interoperability and extensibility. The design was informed by expert interviews, which revealed the necessity for a highly configurable solution to address different decision-maker archetypes and contextual needs. These findings culminated in a Consolidated Requirements Framework that guided the model’s implementation. The serious game artifact evolved through iterative prototyping and was rigorously evaluated using the Framework for Evaluation in Design Science Research (FEDS) in its primary domain of manufacturing. The evaluation confirmed the artifact’s effectiveness in enhancing technology understanding. Crucially, a final assessment of transferability validated the success of the underlying model, demonstrating the architecture’s capability to be reconfigured for different industries and domains beyond its initial specification. This thesis contributes a validated, practical artifact and a model-driven framework for creating and configuring domain-specific serious games. The work provides a tangible, evidence-based and transferable solution to empower SME leaders in navigating the complexities of the digital technologies, showcasing a clear pathway from a domain-specific implementation to a broadly applicable model.