PhD Arkadiusz Kawa, prof. PUEB, together with PhD Monika Hajdas, prof. WUEB, PhD Joanna Radomska prof. WUEB, and PhD Aleksandra Szpulak (Wroclaw University of Economics and Business) published an article entitled “The trade-offs of metaverse value creation. Real-Time-Delphi-based scenario analysis by 2040” in the journal Technology in Society (IF = 12.5).

The article focuses on the analysis of potential scenarios for the development of the metaverse by 2040 and the trade-offs associated with value creation. The authors employed the Real-Time Delphi method, engaging experts to identify possible evolutionary pathways of the metaverse and their implications for businesses, consumers, and society.

The study highlights four main scenarios for the future of the metaverse: “Metawars”, “Meta Business Models”, “The Great Escape”, and “Surveillance Metaworld.” Each of them reflects different values and risks – from the dominance of market and industrial models to escapism into virtual worlds or threats linked to excessive digital surveillance.

The findings emphasize that the development of the metaverse is not predetermined; its trajectory will depend on business, regulatory, and technological decisions made in the coming years. The article makes an important contribution to the literature on the future of the digital economy, pointing to the strategic choices facing companies and regulators.

The article is available in open access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103028