BIM value creation through collaboration in construction projects: An empirical model with multiple collaborative behaviors

Building information modeling (BIM) use suffers from low performance in many construction projects. Although collaboration is critical for BIM value achievements, the underlying mechanism of BIM value creation through collaboration remains uncovered. Specifically, even if multiple collaborative behaviors were proposed for effective BIM use, few ever empirically investigated how these collaborative behaviors interact to affect BIM value. This study selected six critical collaborative behavior categories and constructed a BIM value creation model for empirical investigations. Survey data were collected from 162 Chinese construction projects, and partial least-squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to test the model. The results validated the positive impacts of adaptive behavior and server investment behavior on BIM value. Meanwhile, information-sharing behavior was proved to mediate the relationship between adaptive behavior and BIM value, as well as the relationship between server investment behavior and BIM value. In addition, harmonious behavior was found to positively moderate the relationship between adaptive behavior and joint working behavior. In contrast, flexible behavior negatively moderated the relationship between information-sharing behavior and BIM value. The results contribute to understanding how BIM value can be realized through multiple collaborative behaviors. The findings also provide managers with collaboration guidelines for BIM value achievements.