Liu, J; Xu, X and Liu, J (2025) An analysis of BIM-related job requirements based on text mining in China. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(1), pp. 126-142. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: Although building information modeling (BIM) has brought competitive advantages and many new jobs, the BIM-related job market is still confusing in China, which will undermine the adoption of BIM. This paper aims to show what kinds of BIM-related jobs are there in China, what employers require and whether all BIM engineers are the same kind. Design/methodology/approach: A text mining approach, structural topic model, was used to process the job descriptions of 1,221 BIM-related online job advertisements in China, followed by a cluster analysis based on it. Findings: First, 10 topics of requirements with the impact of experience and educational background to them were found, namely, rendering software, international project, design, management, personal quality, experience, modeling, relation and certificate. Then, six types were clustered, namely, BIM modeler, BIM application engineer, BIM consultant, BIM manager, BIM developer and BIM designer. Finally, different kinds of BIM engineers proved this title was an expediency leading to confusion. Originality/value: This paper can provide a clear and insightful look into the confusing and unheeded BIM-related job market in China and might help to cope with the abuse of job titles. It could also benefit both employers and candidates in their recruitment for better matching.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modeling; job advertisement; job requirement; structural topic model; text mining |
| Index terms: | manager, cluster analysis, methodology, international project, China, building information modelling, competitive advantage, designer, engineer, mining, recruitment, modelling |
| Subjects: | profession, data analysis and analytics, management, information systems, geotechnical engineering, practitioner, strategic management, analytical methods, Geography, research methods, market analysis |
| Topics: | International Construction, Human Resources, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context |
| 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