Metaverse governance new approach in public administration

Document Type : Original Article

Author
somaye ghajari
public administration/ management/Islamic Azad university/ Tehran/Iran
10.22047/hsd.2025.491363.1046
Abstract
The proliferation of new technologies in the digital landscape presents significant challenges for policymakers and scholars in public policy and administration.The rapid pace of technological development and decentralization of the digital world has resulted in a “pacing problem” between existing regulatory frameworks and the changing technological landscape. This information asymmetry gap complicates public authorities and regulatory bodies to effectively govern and regulate the latest digital revolutions. One such advancement that allows entering the 3D world is the Metaverse, which represents the important step in the evolution of the internet from a two-dimensional interaction to a three-dimensional immersive experience. Metaverse enables opportunities for alternative public services such as health, education, and infrastructure. However, it also poses privacy, data protection, interoperability, and cybersecurity risks. This research examines the digitalization of the public sector and the current regulatory gaps in the virtual universe. Besides, the research considers the potential opportunities and threats that Metaverse technology will reveal in the administrative field within the context of “digital era governance” (DEG). Furthermore, the concept of “Metaverse governance” and its various components and research agenda are examined in depth.The research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implications of the Metaverse on public policy and administration and to identify potential solutions to the challenges posed by this technology.The findings of the research showed that along with the progress of Metaverse, governments should develop strategies and policies for research and infrastructure strengthening, and cooperation with private sector and have agile legal standards
Keywords
Metaverse
Public administration
Public policy
Digital era governance
Metaverse policy · Metaverse governance
ethical governance
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Development of humanities
Volume 6, Issue 11 - Serial Number 11
Humanities
Volume 6, Spring & Summer 2025, No.11
September 2025
Pages 179-195