Assessing The Challenges to Digital Twins in the Metaverse Environment: Strategic Management Decisions Perspective

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the challenges associated with integrating digital twins into the metaverse for supporting strategic management decisions. By synthesizing insights from scholarly literature and expert opinion, this study investigates in depth the interrelationships between these challenges and creates a hierarchical framework for organizing them. The identified challenges are categorized according to their technical, operational, user experience, and data management aspects. Design/methodology/approach: This study utilizes a modified version of total interpretive structural modeling (M-TISM) to systematically identify, interpret, and acknowledge the main challenges associated with the integration of digital twins within a metaverse setting. Findings: This study identifies and emphasizes seven key challenges associated with the integration of digital twins into the metaverse by conducting a comprehensive literature review on the subject. These challenges include synchronization in real time, scalability, interoperability, resource management, data privacy and security, virtual-physical integration, and user experience and interaction. The study places special emphasis on the significant influence that user experience and virtual-physical integration have on the successful integration of digital twins into the metaverse environment. Research implications: This research expands the strategic applicability of digital twin technology by analyzing the main challenges and their interrelationships. The study presents a hierarchical structural model that provides organizations with a practical and invaluable framework for systematically evaluating and ranking the integration challenges they may face in their operational context. Originality/value: This study provides a hierarchical conceptual framework that facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the difficulties associated with integrating digital twins into a metaverse environment. By providing valuable insights and strategies, this study equips organizations with the means to exploit the full potential of this technology, allowing them to enhance virtual experiences and boost real-world applications to new heights.