Unveiling Psychosocial Factors Influencing Metaverse-Associated App Adoption: Acumens from fsQCA Approach

The Metaverse represents a fusion of the physical and digital worlds, heralding the next evolution in the manufacturing and services sector. Given the rapid proliferation of Metaverse-associated apps (MAPPs), gaining a profound understanding of consumer proclivities and intentions to use them is crucial. However, existing Metaverse literature primarily uses symmetric variance-based approaches, which have not fully captured the complex interactions among factors influencing adoption. We address this gap by examining how various psychosocial factors and their configurations influence MAPPs adoption through the lens of configuration and complexity theories. The research results were based on a sample of 372 Chinese consumers analyzed using PLS-SEM, NCA, and fsQCA, identifying seven distinct solutions, each characterized by a unique combination of personality, motivational, social, and functional traits. This study adds to the Metaverse literature by offering a robust theoretical framework to explain the asymmetric impact of psychosocial factors on MAPP adoption.