The Metaverse has been gaining importance, with businesses looking to adopt the same for processes ranging from onboarding to customer experience. The current study has been conducted to evaluate the impact of learner characteristics on motivation to participate in metaverse-based training programs across various organizations. Based on literature and theory, two main characteristics were identified: attitude towards the metaverse and experience with the technology. Data for the study was collected using a structured questionnaire and 103 responses were collected from employees belonging to various organizations in India. The analysis and interpretation of the data was done using statistical techniques through the tool of SPSS. The study found out that both the learner characteristics have a strong positive relationship with each other, and attitude towards metaverse has a stronger relationship with learner motivation than the experience of use. The findings suggest organizations focus more on the manner in which they should introduce metaverse at the workplaces and need to keep the employee attitude towards any kind of change; more of a technological change in mind when they are strategizing to implement metaverse-based training programs.
TopIntroduction
The exponential growth of cyberspace, symbolic of the internet's extensive reach, has made the online world a significant part of modern existence. Humans are becoming increasingly reliant on digital interfaces, making interaction with the digital world practically unavoidable. Recent times have witnessed a surge in the advancement of digital technologies, propelling their integration across diverse sectors and institutions. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to blockchain, IoT, and cloud computing, these technologies have become integral components in the operations of numerous organizations. Their adoption promises increased efficiency, streamlined processes, and innovative solutions. As society marches forward, the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the digital realm continues to evolve, shaping our daily personal and professional lives. As humans, our communication keeps evolving, and therefore, virtual communication also takes a new shape in the form of a metaverse (Ning et al., 2023).
The popularity of Metaverse has recently increased due to Facebook's rebranding to Meta and its focus on developing the Metaverse (Krauss et al., 2022). This strategic move by one of the tech industry's biggest names has significantly elevated the interest in the concept. Despite being in its initial stages, rapid advancements in virtual reality (VR) technologies are promoting interest in and acceptance of the metaverse. These innovations are increasingly blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds, offering immersive and interactive experiences. The refinement of VR headsets, haptic feedback systems, spatial computing and augmented reality (AR) integrations are key contributors to the evolution of the Metaverse. These advancements are laying the groundwork for a multifaceted digital space where individuals can interact, socialize, work, play and create.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to the realization of opportunities for the use of Metaverse in the workplace, shifting its focus from entertainment to professional use (Dwivedi et al., 2022). The main idea behind the Metaverse is to create a digital space that mimics the social interaction of physical contexts. Regular video conferencing fails to replicate the in-person meeting experience, which affects collaboration among employees. Metaverse has the potential to enhance remote working by replicating physical work contexts and encouraging camaraderie, leading to increased creativity and productivity (Karlsson & Shamoun, 2022).
The evolution of the metaverse within the framework of a workspace reflects the dynamic shift in how we perceive and engage with work environments. With the transition of workspaces into online domains, companies have undergone a significant transformation in monitoring and managing employee activities. As workspaces continue to evolve within the metaverse, there is a pressing need for a more balanced approach that prioritizes employee wellbeing alongside organizational goals, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive while contributing meaningfully to their work (Pinnington & Ayoko, 2021). This understanding has encouraged a shift of focus from the technology to the audience of the technology. Something that Davis’s (1989) TAM model has been advocating for a long time.
Indeed, the characteristics of learners play an important role in their ability to adapt to new learning environments, including those presented by metaverse technology. Metaverse technology has the potential to create immersive, flexible, and interactive learning environments that can enhance motivation, engagement, and active involvement in the learning process (Collins, 2008). Learners who are open to new experiences, willing to experiment and collaborate, and who are comfortable with technology are likely to thrive in such environments. However, it is also important to note that the use of metaverse technology for learning should be designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, ensuring that all learners have equal access and opportunity to participate and learn in these environments (Kye et al., 2021).