Assessing Consumer Trust in Blockchain-Enabled Metaverse Transactions: A Quantitative Analysis
摘要
The technological basis for secure transactions in the metaverse is pinned on blockchain technology. However, consumer reluctance toward wider adoption can be attributed to issues of trust. This study carries out an empirical assessment of the factors that influence trust in blockchain-enabled transactions in the metaverse. Through stratified random sampling, this paper succeeded in acquiring a representative sample of 500 users in the metaverse across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. A systematic questionnaire measured the determinants of trust that included transparency, perceived risk, and technology familiarity. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for data analysis, and the results found that transparency and technology familiarity were the significant predictors of consumer trust while perceived risk was negatively related to the levels of trust. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of trust in digital ecosystems, evidencing the critical role that clear communication and user education play in the mitigation of risk perceptions. Practical implications for developers might involve an emphasis on user-centric design and increasing transparency through some blockchain features, such as real-time audit trails. Further, marketers are encouraged to focus on culturally specific initiatives that nurture trust by addressing the unique concerns of users in developing markets. The following proposed actionable strategies will help cultivate consumer trust, hasten the integration of blockchain technology, and actualize opportunities for metaverse transactions in culturally varied contexts.