메타버스의 심리적 거리와 신뢰의 영향: 지속적 이용 의도 향상을 위한 메타버스 실재감과 기술 준비도의 역할

Recently, our society is rapidly embracing online technology. In particular, COVID-19 has semi-forcibly required people's activities online and people are actively using online technology that can provide experiences similar to reality. Among related technologies, metaverse, which provides a sense of reality to users by utilizing avatars and virtual spaces implemented with 3D technology, is rapidly entering the market. This study proposes a method to improve the continuous activity of users in the metaverse as a social platform. In detail, this study structures a mechanism that enhances trust and intention to continuous use by combining the characteristics of the metaverse (social presence, telepresence), the perception of the user's psychological distance and the individual's technology readiness. Our study constructed a research model based on previous studies on social media platforms and virtual reality and surveyed users aged 20 or older who experienced the ZEPETO platform. And, the secured samples were reflected in hypothesis verification through AMOS 22.0 and SPSS 21.0 packages. As a result, social presence increased platform trust through psychological distance and also influenced the intention to continuous use. In addition, users' technology readiness increased platform trust through an interaction effect with psychological distance, social presence and telepresence. As a result, our study presents strategic implications for strengthening trust in metaverse companies for operating business models with enhanced sociality.