Exploring the Impact of Virtual Presence in Digital Meetings: A Comparative Study

Virtual Reality can help to solve problems. By creating a virtual space, people can discuss, work and simply be creative with each other as if they were together in a physical place. The virtual presence and therefore the appearance of the chosen avatar plays an important role. Depending on how we represent ourselves, we are perceived differently by other humans, that applies to the virtual as well as to the real reality. For this reason, this paper has taken as a goal to find out whether the virtual presence becomes more immersive and instructive through a realistic representation than with generic avatars. To achieve this goal, first a look at the past was taken. Then, based on well-founded theoretical constructs such as the Uncanny Valley Effect, the SECI model, and the Design Thinking, a methodology was developed that makes it possible to achieve this goal. This methodology was then carried out with a case study. The result of the study shows that there is a significant difference between generic and lifelike avatars and that this has an impact on vividness, credibility, and attention. This finding can now be used as a tool for different purposes and can be explored more deeply through continued research.