Babatunde, S O; Perera, S; Ekundayo, D and Adeleke, D S (2020) An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms: An empirical study in Nigeria. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 26(1), pp. 23-48. ISSN 1366-4387
Abstract
Purpose: Building information modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to examine the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assess the barriers to BIM implementation and examine the ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal–Wallis test and factor analysis. Findings: This study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms. The result of the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents' groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors. Practical implications: This study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms, thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment. Originality/value: This study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; building information modeling; construction companies; developing countries; evaluation of construction companies |
| Index terms: | implementation, construction industry, statistics, empirical study, Lagos, performance improvement, investigation, factor analysis, deviation, Nigeria, building information modelling, construction sector, methodology, questionnaire, evidence, strategy, survey, construction company, relative importance, developing country |
| Subjects: | information systems, statistical analysis, industry analysis, development economics, Geography, research methods, management, performance measurement, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements, mathematical modelling, organization, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Procurement, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Digital Applications, International Construction, Quality Management |
| 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