Exploring the Impact of the Industrial Metaverse: A Delphi-Based Scenario Approach

The diffusion of the much-anticipated metaverse seems to have stalled. However, the industrial metaverse, aimed at facilitating human–machine interaction and streamlining operational processes, is credited with transformative potential. Due to a fragmented and contested information landscape regarding the industrial metaverse, the future of this technology in business practice remains uncertain. In our study, we contribute to this debate by addressing the question of how the industrial metaverse will shape the operations of companies in the mid-term future. We developed 20 projections on the future of the industrial metaverse based on the current literature, and employed a Delphi approach using input from 33 selected experts to form a scenario for the industrial metaverse in the year 2033. We uncover realistic potentials and challenges that need to be addressed to make the industrial metaverse a reality. Accordingly, the industrial metaverse in 2033 is still not fully developed, which causes a divide between companies that already are using the industrial metaverse and companies that have not yet implemented it. In perspective, our findings provide insight into what needs to be considered for proactive industrial metaverse strategies.