The Transformative Impact of the Metaverse on Sustainability and Innovative Business Models

Éditeurs invités

• Mark Esposito, Hult International Business School
• Daphne Halkias, EIM – European Institute of Management
• Jordi Diaz, EADA Business School
• Tatiana Harkiolakis, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech Business School

Synthèse

The metaverse promises to reshape the global economy by adding up to 5 trillion dollars by 2030, with extended reality technologies fundamentally transforming business operations, customer interactions, and work environments. However, the transformative potential of the metaverse raises critical questions about its impact on the three pillars of sustainability: economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity. This special issue examines how the metaverse could either advance or hinder progress toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

The issue seeks manuscripts exploring how businesses, policymakers, and academics can leverage metaverse technologies to create innovative business models that foster sustainability across developed and developing economies. Research is invited from diverse disciplines and regions using quantitative, qualitative, case study, theoretical, and integrative literature review approaches, addressing how the metaverse impacts various sectors including marketing, education, healthcare, and climate policy while addressing concerns around trust, privacy, bias, and disinformation.

Thèmes proposés

• Impact of the metaverse on sustainability and business models in specific sectors, including private vs. public sector differences, integration into regulated industries, and circular business models
• Impact of the metaverse on economic viability of business models, including profitability, integration into marketing and customer service, and contextual success factors
• Impact of the metaverse on environmental sustainability, including energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, hardware/software deployment, climate awareness, and innovative environmental applications
• Impact of the metaverse on social equity, including ethical frameworks, accessibility for diverse populations, privacy and cybersecurity concerns, and effects on bias and discrimination