Travailler Dans Un Metavers : Une Etude Phenomenologique Des Enjeux Du Teletravail Immersif

• Research objective: Our study aims to describe the challenges of teleworking in a virtual world (metaverse), an exemplary situation of the progressive hybridization of work environments between the physical and the virtual world. This exploratory research addresses key questions such as: What are the defining features of (tele)work in a virtual world? How do avatars influence team cohesion, the sense of belonging, and task coordination in a virtual work setting? • Methodology: Immersive teleworking involves several key concepts including avatarisation, telepresence, and despatialization. We adopted a phenomenological approach, based on a one-week observation within an organization, followed by semi-structured interviews. • Results: Participants indicated that immersive teleworking in a virtual world keeps all the benefits of traditional teleworking while introducing certain improvements. Specifically, the avatarisation process appears to enhance the collaborative experience by fostering a sense of immersion and telepresence. However, we noted that some participants reported experiencing cognitive fatigue during the experiment. • Limitations and theoretical implications: This study was based on a one-week observation within a single virtual world, limiting the generalizability of the findings to this specific environment. The short duration and the small team size also raise questions about the scalability of collaboration in larger groups. Our findings suggest that beyond the visual resemblance of avatars, it is primarily the functionalities that make the teleworking experience more collaborative. • Practical implications: Our research indicates that certain activities are well-suited to immersive teleworking. Organizations might consider these platforms to facilitate a more embodied approach to managing remote employees, avoiding a mere replication of traditional teleworking practices. • Originality/Value: A significant number of organizations are gradually moving away from teleworking, notably due to the phenomenon of "Zoom fatigue". Our study demonstrates the viability and potential added value of metaverses as an alternative to traditional teleworking, particularly for smaller teams