Modeling barriers to the adoption of metaverse in the construction industry: An application of fuzzy-DEMATEL approach

The idea of the metaverse has been rather popular in many different sectors since it provides immersive virtual reality where users may connect and participate. Leveraging metaverse technologies—such as virtual reality and augmented reality—for project visualization, collaborative design, and training simulations—in the building industry is attracting increasing attention. Notwithstanding its possible advantages, there is a clear knowledge vacuum on the obstacles preventing the general acceptance of metaverse technology in building. The study intends to close this gap by means of a literature review and analysis of the identified barriers using the fuzzy-DEMATEL technique, therefore separating the causal links among them. There were 26 obstacles found in the literature review and expert comments, arranged technically, organizationally, environmentally, socially, and economically. The most important obstacles shown by results are Security Concerns, Resistance to Change, Lack of Expertise, Siloed Departments, and Training and Education Needs. The results of this research provide building companies and legislators with important new perspectives and direction in developing plans to remove obstacles and encourage the use of metaverse technology. Moreover, the findings of the study provide a road map for industry players in tackling the important issue of restricted data capacities, thereby enabling a better and more successful integration of metaverse technology into building methods.