1
of
1
The Virtual Universe
Unlocking the Possibilities of the Metaverse
Brief Description
Will we one day inhabit virtual worlds? From the buzz around Second Life in the early 2000s to Mark Zuckerberg's much-hyped quest for the metaverse, there seems to be a clear pattern. After being touted as revolutionary, virtual worlds fail to meet expectations and fade into...
Read More
Format: Hardback
$5699
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 3-4 weeks
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Virtual Universe
$5699
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
Romance for Spring - Groundbreaking!
Lizzy is sharing her top picks for Spring reads in the romance and romantasy genre...
The ‘Fourth Wing’ graphic novel covers have been revealed
The covers for ‘Fourth Wing, The Graphic Novel: Volume One’ have officially been revealed, with...
Books about Bookshops (across almost every genre)
Books about books, bookshops, and booksellers - it's my favourite thing. Here's a small selection...
What the Book Hero team is excited for
With so many pre-orders coming in the last few months of the year, we asked...
Meet Reverie Puzzles: Puzzles Made for Book Lovers
Reverie Puzzles have arrived at Book Hero and they might just be the perfect puzzles...
See moreThis book contends that despite shifting trends, the virtual universe remains crucial to the technology of tomorrow—and might arrive sooner than we think.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Will we one day inhabit virtual worlds? From the buzz around Second Life in the early 2000s to Mark Zuckerberg's much-hyped quest for the metaverse, there seems to be a clear pattern. After being touted as revolutionary, virtual worlds fail to meet expectations and fade into obscurity. Yet the dream of an immersive, independent, and interconnected virtual social universe still has the potential to transform the economy, reshape society, and profoundly affect the future of humanity.
This book contends that despite shifting trends, the virtual universe remains crucial to the technology of tomorrow—and might arrive sooner than we think. Through vivid examples and detailed case studies, Andreas Kaplan, a pioneering researcher of virtual worlds since the early 2000s, provides a comprehensive examination of the metaverse and its far-reaching implications.
He delves into key technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and extended reality and discusses ethical issues around privacy, identity, and governance. Kaplan examines business models, digital ownership, and corporate strategies alongside applications spanning marketing, research and development, human resources, and supply chain management.
The book concludes by contrasting potential futures, from utopian promise (the Petaverse) to dystopian peril (the Metaworse) and everything in between. Written in an engaging, reader-friendly style, The Virtual Universe goes beyond the hype—and the doubting—to uncover the true potential of the metaverse.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780231217682
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 12 May 2026
Country: United States
Imprint: Columbia Business School Publishing
Illustration: 6 figures, 6 tables
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 248
About the Author
Andreas Kaplan is professor of digital transformation and president of Kühne Logistics University and former dean of ESCP Business School, Sorbonne Alliance. An expert in AI, social media, and virtual reality, he has taught at Harvard University, Sciences Po Paris, and Tsinghua University. His books include Artificial Intelligence, Business, and Civilization: Our Fate Made in Machines (2022).
More from Business & Entrepreneurship
View all-
How To Be Wrong
Sometimes the only way to be right is to get comfortable with being wrong. Most startup advice is dangerously misguided. The mythology of the lone genius founder, the obsession with capital raising, and the theatre of startup ecosystems lead countless ventures astray. Drawing on two decades at the heart of New Zealand's most successful technology companies – Trade Me, Xero,...Paperback$3600Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
12% offRoadmap to Property Success
Ready to ditch the 9-to-5 and build lasting wealth through property? In Roadmap to Property Success, seasoned investor and coach Steve Goodey shares the exact strategies that helped him – and thousands of Kiwis – build sustainable property portfolios from scratch. With real-life lessons, hard-won wisdom, and zero sugar-coating, this is your no-BS guide to property investing in New Zealand....Paperback$2800Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Shoe Dog
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight is a riveting memoir that unveils the remarkable journey behind the creation of Nike, one of the world's most iconic and successful brands. Phil Knight's story begins in 1962, when fresh out of business school, he embarks on a daring entrepreneurial adventure with a radical premise: to import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Armed...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$2899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
19% offBusiness Made Simple
Business Made Simple by Donald Miller is an essential guide for anyone looking to elevate their career and create a profitable business. This practical book offers sixty daily readings, each accompanied by insightful videos, designed to help professionals and business owners gain a clear understanding of how successful businesses operate. Rather than relying on theoretical knowledge, Miller shares actionable strategies...Paperback$2100Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. This time, he turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex world of teams. Kathryn Petersen,...Hardback$4299Elsewhere:$5199Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Good To Great
Good to Great by Jim Collins is an authoritative guide that investigates what takes a company from mere mediocrity to exceptional greatness. This acclaimed work is based on a five-year research project comparing teams that made that leap to those that didn’t. Collins and his research team examined financial performance, management practices, and corporate culture to distill the essential factors...Hardback$5400Elsewhere:$6000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
This Is Strategy
From Seth Godin, one of the world's most influential business thinkers and bestselling author of This is Marketing, comes an essential guide to thinking strategically in a complex, ever-changing world."With his signature clarity and brevity, the marketing maven presents memorable, practical advice for making smarter plans." —Adam Grant, author of Think AgainIn this unique and thought-provoking book, Godin shares insights on...Paperback$3150Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Zero to One
Zero to One by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel is a ground-breaking and thought-provoking examination of innovation and what it takes for a new company to prosper. Written by Peter Thiel, the co-founder of one of the most successful tech start-ups in history, this book provides a fresh perspective on how to build a valuable and unique enterprise in a...Paperback$2000Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition
Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition by W. Chan Kim and Renée A. Mauborgne is an essential guide for anyone looking to transform their business strategies and leap into untapped market spaces. This acclaimed book illustrates how companies can break free from the traditional war of competition and instead, create their own "blue oceans" of uncontested market space. The authors delve...Hardback$5700Elsewhere:$6499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer
Explore the enlightened path to transformational business success with the updated and expanded edition of Jeffrey Liker's acclaimed work, The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer. Delve into the legendary business philosophy that has placed Toyota at the pinnacle of global manufacturing excellence. In this highly anticipated update, Jeffrey Liker refines and broadens the...Hardback$8500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
13% offHigh Output Management
High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove is a legendary business book and a Silicon Valley staple. Written by the former chairman and CEO of Intel, it offers invaluable insights into the art of managing and running a successful company. This practical handbook provides guidance for navigating real-life business scenarios and serves as a powerful manifesto that has the potential...Paperback$2800Elsewhere:$3700Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
How to Grow Your Small Business
The Wall Street Journal Bestseller For so many entrepreneurs, running a small business ended up looking different than they imagined. They’re stressed, discouraged, and not confident in their plan for growth. In How to Grow Your Small Business, Donald Miller gives entrepreneurs a 6-step plan to grow their businesses so they produce dependable, predictable results. Using the exact steps you’ll...Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Business & Entrepreneurship lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
