Group Dynamics in the Metaverse: A Conceptual Framework and First Empirical Insights
Marvin Grabowski, Nale Lehmann‐Willenbrock, Sebastian Rings, Anita Blanchard, Frank Steinicke · Small Group Research · 2024
The metaverse offers new technological possibilities for conducting 3D immersive meetings with head-mounted displays that can enrich virtual teamwork. To conceptualize this new interaction space, we synthesize interdisciplinary findings from human-computer interaction literature, group research, and meeting science. We develop a conceptual framework of 3D immersive group meetings that integrates technological design characteristics, subjective attendee experiences, mediating mechanisms, and meeting outcomes. As a first empirical glimpse into this framework, we include a pilot study of group member’s self-reported experiences and observed group dynamics in the metaverse. Building on our framework and first empirical insights, we discuss implications for future investigations of group dynamics in the metaverse.