“In the Metaverse We (Mis)trust?” Third-Level Digital (In)equality, Social Phobia, Neo-Luddism, and Blockchain/Cryptocurrency Transparency in the Artificial Intelligence-Powered Metaverse
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22004584 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Seung‐a Annie Jin (0000-0003-1454-8280, Northwestern University in Qatar, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 64-75 |
| Publication date | 2024-01-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2152-2715 • E-ISSN: 2152-2723 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1089/cyber.2022.0376 |
| PMID | 38197840 |
| OpenAlex | W4390694749 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 35 |
The Metaverse, powered by a variety of key innovative technologies including 3D virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain/cryptocurrency-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the Internet of Things, has been proposed as the future of a virtual universe for education, work, business, and commerce. This research (∑ N = 954) presents the results of three cross-sectional surveys that examine the influence of third-level digital (in)equality and consumer (mis)trust on Metaverse adoption intention. Study 1, focusing on the Metaverse for hybrid education, reports the mediating effect of (mis)trust in the Metaverse on the relationship between the educational dimension of third-level digital (in)equality and behavioral intention to adopt the Metaverse for virtual learning as well as the moderating effect of social phobia. Study 2, focusing on the Metaverse for remote working, reports the mediating effect of (mis)trust in the Metaverse on the relationship between the economic labor dimension of third-level digital (in)equality and Metaverse adoption for virtual working as well as the moderating effect of neo-Luddism. Study 3, focusing on the Metaverse for business, reports the mediating effect of (mis)trust in the Metaverse on the relationship between the economic commerce dimension of third-level digital (in)equality and Metaverse adoption for virtual commerce as well as the moderating effect of blockchain/cryptocurrency transparency perception. This research can provide theoretical frameworks to examine people's hopes and fears about the Metaverse and consequential adoption versus non-adoption of the Metaverse for hybrid education, hybrid remote working, and omni-channel virtual commerce. Practical, managerial, and policy implications for the Metaverse and the NFT market are also discussed
Computer security · Human–computer interaction · Metaverse · Sociology · Virtual reality · Computer Science · Impact of AI and Big Data on Business and Society · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour · Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
Definition, roles, and potential research issues of the metaverse in education
Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)
Online panels in social science research
The Third-Level Digital Divide
User Acceptance of Information Technology
Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology
What the Metaverse Is (Really) and Why We Need to Know About It
Metaverse Games
Ready (or Not) Player One
“In A.I. we trust?” The effects of parasocial interaction and technopian versus luddite ideological views on chatbot-based customer relationship management in the emerging “feeling economy”
Why do consumers with social phobia prefer anthropomorphic customer service chatbots? Evolutionary explanations of the moderating roles of social phobia
Digital forest recreation in the metaverse
Second-Level Digital Divide
Assessing citizens' behavior towards blockchain cryptocurrency adoption in the Mano River Union States
Digital divide research, achievements and shortcomings
| Citations per year | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |