Babatunde, S O; Udeaja, C and Adekunle, A O (2021) Barriers to BIM implementation and ways forward to improve its adoption in the Nigerian AEC firms. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 39(1), pp. 48-71. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: BIM has much potential to improve the effectiveness of construction works with respect to design, construction and maintenance. However, many Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms are still lagging in the adoption and implementation of BIM in both developing and developed countries. The purpose of this study is to assess the barriers to BIM implementation, and examine the ways forward to improve BIM adoption within the Nigerian AEC firms. Design/methodology/approach: A comprehensive literature review and questionnaire survey were used in the study. The survey targeted four different AEC firms. These include architectural firms, facility management firms, quantity surveying firms and structural engineering firms in Lagos, Nigeria. The data obtained were analyzed using mean score, standard deviation, Kruskal–Wallis test, and factor analysis. Findings: The study identified 20 barriers to BIM implementation and identified ten ways forward to improve BIM adoption in AEC firms, particularly in Nigeria. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways forward were gauged. The Kruskal–Wallis tests revealed that except for one (out of 20) identified barriers, and one (out of 10) identified ways forward; there is no statistical significant difference in the perceptions of four different AEC firms. The factor analysis result grouped the 20 identified barriers into three major factors to include: weak top management support and BIM environment related issues; cost of BIM software and training issues; and incompatibility, legal, contractual, and culture related issues. Practical implications: The significance of the study cannot be over-emphasized due to BIM relevance to construction stakeholders and researchers at large. Originality/value: The study findings would inform the decisions of the construction stakeholders to make some policy recommendations capable of positively influencing the full BIM implementation in AEC firms.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | AEC firms; barriers; BIM; construction industry; construction stakeholders; developing countries |
| Index terms: | survey, literature review, engineering firm, developing and developed country, developing country, relative importance, quantity surveying firm, questionnaire, facility management firm, methodology, top management, Nigeria, deviation, architectural firm, construction industry, implementation, construction work, factor analysis, effectiveness, Lagos |
| Subjects: | performance management, research methods, economic development, management, development economics, firms, Geography, statistical analysis, industry analysis, organization, business, profession, risk assessment, data collection methods, operations management, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Procurement, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Quality Management, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here