Metaverse for Sustainable Development in a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review

Abstract

Drawing upon the premise of diffusion of innovation theory, metaverse, an emerging technology, has shown a vast potential for transforming the world through environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Scholarly work on ‘metaverse application for sustainable development’ has been fuelled in recent years. Although increased scholarly work has added multiple perspectives, methodologies, research paradigms, and theories to the domain of study, it has also piled up an exorbitant literature. The primary purpose of this study is to streamline the growing literature in aforesaid area and highlight the future research avenues. Sixty six sample studies identified through PRISMA approach were analyzed using bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review techniques. Synthesis and analysis of literature resulted into three intellectual clusters (metaverse ecosystem, sustainable society, and sustainable learning), three basic themes (metaverse, digital twins, and artificial intelligence), one motor theme (building information modeling), and two emerging themes (sustainable education and resilience). Research gaps and future research avenues were defined on the basis of the TCCR (theory, context, characteristics, and research type) framework.