Paper Number
ECIS2026-1228
Paper Type
CRP
Abstract
Critical national infrastructures face coupled disruptions—from cyberattacks and climate extremes to supply-chain cascades—that outpace current governmental coordination capabilities. This study examines the metaverse as a persistent, interoperable, and immersive layer that integrates various technologies to support resilience. Based on a structured literature review and 26 semi-structured interviews with practitioners (n=14) and metaverse experts (n=12), a framework grounded in the dynamic capabilities (sensing, seizing, and transforming) is developed. Findings suggest that metaverse-enabled systems could support governments: shared 3D operating pictures and multi-agency scenario rehearsals enhance cascade detection (sensing); scalable immersive training, virtual incident rooms, and open reference architectures enable mobilization and interoperability (seizing); and data governance, procurement, and partnership models institutionalize learning and cross-sector adoption (transforming). This study contributes to a value proposition that extends beyond isolated digital-twin pilots, offering actionable implications for policymakers, government operators, and vendors to design, govern, and scale metaverse-enabled resilience in critical national infrastructures.
Recommended Citation
Gräf, Miriam, "Empowering Governments Through The Metaverse: Building Dynamic Capabilities For Critical National Infrastructure Resilience" (2026). ECIS 2026 Proceedings. 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2026/govtrans/govtrans/2
Empowering Governments Through The Metaverse: Building Dynamic Capabilities For Critical National Infrastructure Resilience
Critical national infrastructures face coupled disruptions—from cyberattacks and climate extremes to supply-chain cascades—that outpace current governmental coordination capabilities. This study examines the metaverse as a persistent, interoperable, and immersive layer that integrates various technologies to support resilience. Based on a structured literature review and 26 semi-structured interviews with practitioners (n=14) and metaverse experts (n=12), a framework grounded in the dynamic capabilities (sensing, seizing, and transforming) is developed. Findings suggest that metaverse-enabled systems could support governments: shared 3D operating pictures and multi-agency scenario rehearsals enhance cascade detection (sensing); scalable immersive training, virtual incident rooms, and open reference architectures enable mobilization and interoperability (seizing); and data governance, procurement, and partnership models institutionalize learning and cross-sector adoption (transforming). This study contributes to a value proposition that extends beyond isolated digital-twin pilots, offering actionable implications for policymakers, government operators, and vendors to design, govern, and scale metaverse-enabled resilience in critical national infrastructures.