Ding, Z; Zuo, J; Wu, J and Wang, J Y (2015) Key factors for the BIM adoption by architects: A China study. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(6), pp. 732-748. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - There has been a growing attention to building information modeling (BIM) globally due to its benefits to various stages of a building’s life cycle. To facilitate the implementation of BIM in the construction industry effectively, the purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the mechanism for BIM adoption by practitioners such as architects. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire survey of architects is conducted in Shenzhen, China. A structural equation model is built with survey data to identify the key factors affecting architects' BIM adoption in the design firms. Findings - It is found that motivation, technical defects of BIM and BIM capability are the statistically significant factors affecting architects' BIM adoption whereas management support and knowledge structure are not. Research limitations/implications - Only one architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) profession, i.e. architects were selected as research participants. In future, other professions such as construction engineers, project managers, etc. should be investigated with respect to their BIM adoption issues. Practical implications - BIM technology developers should improve the technology along the objectives of economic benefits, effectiveness and efficiency of BIM adoption. The compatibility and integration between BIM and other widely available software in the industry should also be improved. Moreover, AEC company and project managers should provide architects with opportunities of BIM training so that architects are more likely to apply BIM in future projects. Originality/value - A quantitative theoretical model, i.e. structural equation model is built to identify key factors affecting architects' BIM adoption, which takes one step further to reveal the BIM adoption mechanism in contrast to previous descriptive-oriented studies.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | China; structural equation modelling; theory of reasoned action; bim; architect; key factors for bim adoption |
| Index terms: | implementation, construction industry, profession, effectiveness, theory of reasoned action, structural equation model, architect, engineer, life cycle, efficiency, building information modelling, project manager, design firm, China, integration, methodology, practitioner, questionnaire, structural equation modelling, survey, motivation |
| Subjects: | Geography, performance management, research methods, statistical analysis, behavioral psychology, information systems, industry analysis, organizational analysis, practitioner, institututions, value management, profession, data collection methods, contractual arrangements, psychology |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Quality Management, Human Resources, Digital Applications, Procurement, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project 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