Understanding the Adoption and Usage Behaviors of Popular and Emerging Metaverse Platforms: A Study Based on the Extended Technology Acceptance Model

ABSTRACT

By applying an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), we specifically examined how TAM-related factors affected two types of usage behaviors of current Metaverse platforms. The use intensity of the popular Metaverses and the adoption of the emerging Metaverses. The study recruited 222 participants through an online survey distributed via Amazon Mechanical Turk (Mturk). The results indicated that the driving forces to use the popular Metaverses were perceived usefulness (PU) and subjective norm (SN), while the adoption of the emerging Metaverses was significantly influenced by perceived enjoyment (PE) and external regulation (ER) of the Covid−19. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors that motivate individuals to engage with contemporary Metaverse platforms, shedding light on the theoretical frameworks of TAM, Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DOI), and Self-determination Theory (SDT). By exploring these dimensions, our study offers a fresh and distinctive perspective on this subject, paving the way for future research in the field.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Journalism and Marxism Research Center, Renmin University of China (Project Number: 19MXG06).

Notes on contributors

Shuya Pan

Shuya Pan (Ph.D., Renmin University of China) is an associate professor of School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China. Her research interests include health communication, older adults and new technologies, and virtual realities.

Soyoung Jung

Soyoung Jung (Ph.D., Dong-A University) is an assistant professor of the Department of Media Communication at Dong-A University. Her research interests include media effects of emerging communication technologies (i.e., AR/VR/XR and Metaverse).

Shixin Suo

Shixin Suo (M.A., Renmin University of China) is a student of School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China. Her research interests include gender studies, and human-computer interactions in AR/VR environments.