Abstract
This study investigates how different narrative framings of Digital Twin technology influence moral acceptance and risk perception in a tourism context. Drawing on an experimental vignette design, respondents were randomly assigned to one of three scenarios (environmental protection, infrastructure optimization, and data-driven monitoring), followed by scenario-specific informational cues. Results show that exposure to the monitoring-oriented narrative was associated with a greater decline in moral acceptance than exposure to environmental- and infrastructure-oriented narratives, while increasing perceived risks related to privacy and freedom. Privacy concerns emerge as the strongest and most consistent predictor of declining acceptance, whereas perceived freedom violations show weaker but related effects. No significant moderating effects of user status (resident vs. tourist) were observed, suggesting a shared cognitive response pattern across user groups. From a pedagogical perspective, the study highlights the role of communicative framing in shaping the legitimacy of emerging digital infrastructures, such as Digital Twins, in public-sector tourism governance.
Paper Type
Short Paper
DOI
10.62036/ISD.2026.129
Environmental Protection or Digital Surveillance? Framing Effects on Acceptance of Digital Twin Technology in Tourism
This study investigates how different narrative framings of Digital Twin technology influence moral acceptance and risk perception in a tourism context. Drawing on an experimental vignette design, respondents were randomly assigned to one of three scenarios (environmental protection, infrastructure optimization, and data-driven monitoring), followed by scenario-specific informational cues. Results show that exposure to the monitoring-oriented narrative was associated with a greater decline in moral acceptance than exposure to environmental- and infrastructure-oriented narratives, while increasing perceived risks related to privacy and freedom. Privacy concerns emerge as the strongest and most consistent predictor of declining acceptance, whereas perceived freedom violations show weaker but related effects. No significant moderating effects of user status (resident vs. tourist) were observed, suggesting a shared cognitive response pattern across user groups. From a pedagogical perspective, the study highlights the role of communicative framing in shaping the legitimacy of emerging digital infrastructures, such as Digital Twins, in public-sector tourism governance.
Recommended Citation
Duda, E.(2026). Environmental Protection or Digital Surveillance? Framing Effects on Acceptance of Digital Twin Technology in Tourism. In M. Valenta, B. Mannová, R. Pergl, A. Przybylek, M. Lang, H. Linger, C. Schneider, N. Iivari, & E. Insfran (Eds.), Making ISD Sustainable: Reloaded with AI and Automation (ISD2026 Proceedings). Prague, Czech Republic: Czech Technical University in Prague. ISBN: 978-80-01-07585-2. https://doi.org/10.62036/ISD.2026.129