Saka, A B and Chan, D W M (2023) A contextualist perspective to drivers of BIM in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. International Journal of Construction Management, 23(14), pp. 2358-2368. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
There are disparities in the adoption of BIM between firms of different sizes and diverse locations. Although extant studies have explored drivers to BIM, there is a dearth of contextualist perspectives. How does the context of size (SME or large firm) and location (developed or developing economy) affects the perception of firms on drivers to BIM? Questions relating to these contexts are still underexplored in extant literature. Thus, this study aims to evaluate and analyse the divide of BIM drivers in these contexts via a comparative study. Data was collected through an international survey from 228 professionals in firms of diverse sizes and locations. The responses were analysed using mean score ranking, rank agreement factor, Mann-Whitney U test and principal components analysis. A comparative analyse was conducted which revealed that the SMEs and large firms differ in their perceptions of desire for innovation, availability of resources and collaboration as drivers to BIM. Similarly, it was highlighted that there is a deep divide between developed and developing countries which would underscore the transferability of best practices and global BIM solutions. The study provided empirical evidence of the BIM divide and would be of importance in bridging the traditionally fragmented construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING; drivers; developed countries; developing countries; large firms; small & medium sized enterprises |
| Index terms: | building information modelling, construction industry, disparity, comparative study, best practice, developing economy, developing country, international survey, collaboration, developed country, evidence |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, information systems, social justice, development economics, economic development, management, research products and data, evaluation and assessment methods, business, research design and methodology |
| Topics: | International Construction, Ethics, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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