Identified barriers to adopt metaverse in SCM
| Barriers | Descriptions | References |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of real-time data integration and processing (B1) | Integration of real-time data is vital for a responsive and dynamic supply chain in a metaverse scenario. Data from a variety of sources has to be seamlessly integrated, and any delay in processing that data could lead to inefficiencies | Hatami et al. (2024), Rafique and Qadir (2024) |
| Lack of ability to continuously monitor data generated from various sources (B2) | To adopt metaverse in SCM, it is essential to continuous monitor the data which are being generated from various sources. Advanced analytical skills are necessary to ensure proper monitoring and responding to tackle changes and disruptions | Agrawal and Wankhede (2025), Al-Sharafi et al. (2024) |
| Lack of standards to implement the metaverse (B3) | It is necessary to have proper guidelines and governing protocols for systematic implementation, and proper functioning of metaverse platform and technology. Without proper guidelines and standards, it is difficult to adopt, and system may face compatibility issues along with interoperability issues | Bag et al. (2023), Chi et al. (2024) |
| Limited awareness of metaverse technology (B4) | Limited awareness about metaverse technology among stakeholders may limit its implementations. The potential users and stakeholders must be aware about metaverse technology and about its benefits, application and usage for its full-fledged implementation | Al-Sharafi et al. (2024), Wang (2024) |
| Low perception of the metaverse by customers (B5) | Any technology is believed to succeed only if customers perceive it well. A low perception of the metaverse by customers can in turn affect its adoption | Bag et al. (2023), Chi et al. (2024) |
| Lack of collaboration among different stakeholders in the supply chain (B6) | To adopt metaverse in SCM, it is necessary to have collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders of SCM. With effective collaboration and coordination, information sharing will be easy, and this will help in utilizing metaverse. The failure to collaborate and coordinate can slow down the advances and innovations in the metaverse ecosystem | Chen et al. (2023a, b, c), Queiroz et al. (2023) |
| Challenging to share information between different metaverse platforms (B7) | The difficulty of transferring data, assets or experiences across different metaverse platforms due to differing rules and protocols limits the seamless sharing that defines the metaverse | Bag et al. (2023), Gupta et al. (2024) |
| Lack of interoperability of metaverse technology (B8) | Different metaverse platforms using technologies that don’t work with one another hinder smooth communication and interaction between users and their assets, limiting the unified experience of the metaverse | Chen and Ruan (2024), Yang et al. (2025) |
| Digital Divide (B9) | The digital divide is a major concern as it creates a separation between those who have access to digital technologies and those who don’t have such access, often driven by socio-economic parameters, geographic location or infrastructure deficiency. In other words, it impacts the online space’s social inequalities and hinders an inclusive environment | Agrawal and Wankhede (2025), Sorrentino et al. (2025) |
| Virtual Economy and Financial Risks (B10) | In many cases, metaverse incorporates virtual economies and finances where users purchase, sell, and trade digital assets, currencies, and pieces of virtual land. Nevertheless, the virtual economy remains subject to multiple financial risks, including frauds, scams, market manipulation, and the collapse of currency or platforms. Indeed, without trust and reliance on the virtual economy, its uptake may stay insufficient, limiting virtual worlds and digital environments | Chen et al. (2024), Gupta et al. (2024) |
| Cross-Border Legal Issues (B11) | While the metaverse disregards borders, it makes it possible for users from different countries to interact in the virtual environment. However, it presumes numerous cross-border legal issues on jurisdiction, intellectual property, taxation, data privacy and usage, and compliance with local laws. Divergent regulations and legal disputes inhibit innovation, reduce investment and interrupt virtual world functioning globally | Mirzaye Shirkoohi and Mohiuddin (2025), Weng (2023) |
| Cross-Platform Compatibility (B12) | Metaverse includes various virtual platforms and worlds, as well as devices and operating systems. Thus, cross-platform compatibility is critical for enabling cohesive and convenient experiences across the Metaverse. The incompatibility of platforms and devices disrupts the Metaverse, restricting user movements and limiting socialization and content sharing within virtual spaces | Abilkaiyrkyzy et al. (2023), Zaman et al. (2023) |
| Barriers | Descriptions | References |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of real-time data integration and processing (B1) | Integration of real-time data is vital for a responsive and dynamic supply chain in a metaverse scenario. Data from a variety of sources has to be seamlessly integrated, and any delay in processing that data could lead to inefficiencies | |
| Lack of ability to continuously monitor data generated from various sources (B2) | To adopt metaverse in SCM, it is essential to continuous monitor the data which are being generated from various sources. Advanced analytical skills are necessary to ensure proper monitoring and responding to tackle changes and disruptions | |
| Lack of standards to implement the metaverse (B3) | It is necessary to have proper guidelines and governing protocols for systematic implementation, and proper functioning of metaverse platform and technology. Without proper guidelines and standards, it is difficult to adopt, and system may face compatibility issues along with interoperability issues | |
| Limited awareness of metaverse technology (B4) | Limited awareness about metaverse technology among stakeholders may limit its implementations. The potential users and stakeholders must be aware about metaverse technology and about its benefits, application and usage for its full-fledged implementation | |
| Low perception of the metaverse by customers (B5) | Any technology is believed to succeed only if customers perceive it well. A low perception of the metaverse by customers can in turn affect its adoption | |
| Lack of collaboration among different stakeholders in the supply chain (B6) | To adopt metaverse in SCM, it is necessary to have collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders of SCM. With effective collaboration and coordination, information sharing will be easy, and this will help in utilizing metaverse. The failure to collaborate and coordinate can slow down the advances and innovations in the metaverse ecosystem | |
| Challenging to share information between different metaverse platforms (B7) | The difficulty of transferring data, assets or experiences across different metaverse platforms due to differing rules and protocols limits the seamless sharing that defines the metaverse | |
| Lack of interoperability of metaverse technology (B8) | Different metaverse platforms using technologies that don’t work with one another hinder smooth communication and interaction between users and their assets, limiting the unified experience of the metaverse | |
| Digital Divide (B9) | The digital divide is a major concern as it creates a separation between those who have access to digital technologies and those who don’t have such access, often driven by socio-economic parameters, geographic location or infrastructure deficiency. In other words, it impacts the online space’s social inequalities and hinders an inclusive environment | |
| Virtual Economy and Financial Risks (B10) | In many cases, metaverse incorporates virtual economies and finances where users purchase, sell, and trade digital assets, currencies, and pieces of virtual land. Nevertheless, the virtual economy remains subject to multiple financial risks, including frauds, scams, market manipulation, and the collapse of currency or platforms. Indeed, without trust and reliance on the virtual economy, its uptake may stay insufficient, limiting virtual worlds and digital environments | |
| Cross-Border Legal Issues (B11) | While the metaverse disregards borders, it makes it possible for users from different countries to interact in the virtual environment. However, it presumes numerous cross-border legal issues on jurisdiction, intellectual property, taxation, data privacy and usage, and compliance with local laws. Divergent regulations and legal disputes inhibit innovation, reduce investment and interrupt virtual world functioning globally | |
| Cross-Platform Compatibility (B12) | Metaverse includes various virtual platforms and worlds, as well as devices and operating systems. Thus, cross-platform compatibility is critical for enabling cohesive and convenient experiences across the Metaverse. The incompatibility of platforms and devices disrupts the Metaverse, restricting user movements and limiting socialization and content sharing within virtual spaces |
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