Sackey, E; Tuuli, M and Dainty, A (2019) Expansive learning in contemporary construction organisations: An exemplar in BIM-mediated projects. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 9(3), pp. 383-398. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: The evolving roles of BIM and smart building technologies in the design and management of construction projects often present unexpected events and variabilities, which tend to erode professionals' prior knowledge authority. The purpose of this paper is to explore how construction organisations can deploy knowledge and adapt to the requisite skills in order to make fitting responses to the ever-evolving technological and organisational transformations to address the prevailing construction challenges. Design/methodology/approach: The paper opted for an abductive research approach that ensures back-and-forth iterative dialogue between the empirical data and an amalgam of the theoretical proposition towards new understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. A multiple case study method was adopted to collate the empirical data from three separate construction organisations as they transitioned into BIM compliant work processes. Findings: The study has described new processes that not only mediate existing practices but focus on consistently resolving known tensions and contradictions between prior knowledge and the requirement of the changing work situation. The study also illustrates the cognitive synchronisation of the learning approaches within contemporary work organisations that align well with the merits and utilities entrenched within their niche technological choices. Research limitations/implications: Due to the chosen research methodology, it is acknowledged that future comparative studies using a much larger quantitative data sample to further elucidate the findings of this paper would be an interesting further step. Originality/value: The study contributes to construction management literature by providing new insights into expansive learning environments capable of addressing cognitive contradictions and ambiguities inherent in the changing contemporary work patterns in the construction context as a consequence of BIM deployment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM; case studies; construction technologies; contemporary organizations; expansive learning; knowledge development |
| Index terms: | smart building technology, transformation, utilities, construction organization, case study, variability, construction technology, methodology, comparative study, construction project, research methodology, investigation |
| Subjects: | business, digital engineering, organization, research design and methodology, data collection methods, construction type, building innovation, production management, research methods, statistical analysis |
| Topics: | Project Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Construction Technology, Design Practice, Digital Applications |
| 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