Ahankoob, A; Manley, K; Hon, C and Drogemuller, R (2023) The influence of building information modelling on the absorptive capacity of project-based organisations. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 19(1), pp. 1-21. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
Absorptive capacity (AC) is a theoretical construct that measures the capacity of an organisation to absorb knowledge from external sources to sustain competitive advantage. Information dispersion makes it difficult for project-based organisations (PBOs) to absorb new ideas. The current study uses AC theory to examine how the use of building information modelling (BIM) affects the capacity of building contractors to absorb new information and become more competitive. A desktop study of secondary sources was undertaken to assess if there is a potential link between BIM and contractor AC. This revealed that the potential benefits of BIM’s technical features are motivated through its functional attributes. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to clarify the underlying relationship of a cluster of variables. The results of EFA led to the confirmed three categories for BIM functional attributes, including: (1) integration, (2) comprehensibility, and (3) transparency. Multiple regression analysis was used to explore the latent relationship between BIM functional attributes and contractor AC. The regression analysis of survey data, which was gathered from 56 building contractors in Queensland, Australia, showed that the transparency function of BIM functional attributes significantly correlated with acquisition and transformation dimensions of contractor AC. The study confirms a link between BIM and contractor AC, providing further evidence of the importance of BIM in sustaining the competitive advantage of project-based organisations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | absorptive capacity; BIM functional attributes; contractors; information and communication technologies; project-based organisations |
| Index terms: | integration, evidence, dimension, multiple regression analysis, regression analysis, transparency, competitive advantage, exploratory factor analysis, building information modelling, building contractor, information and communication technology, absorptive capacity, Queensland, project-based organization, transformation, Australia, survey, acquisition |
| Subjects: | computing systems, practitioner, organization, business, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, professional development, Geography, theoretical framing, statistical analysis, information systems, market analysis, organizational analysis |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Information Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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