BIM adoption within Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) : an innovation diffusion model

Despite the envisaged benefits of BIM adoption for SMEs, BIM in SMEs has remained an underrepresented area within the available academic literature. This study proposes and draws upon a framework grounded on innovation diffusion theory (IDT) to provide an illuminating insight into the current state of BIM and the main barriers to BIM adoption within Australian SMEs. Based on analyses of 135 questionnaires completed by SMEs through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and grounded on the proposed framework, the current state of BIM adoption and barriers to BIM adoption for SMEs are discussed. The findings show that currently around 42% of Australian SMEs use BIM in Level 1 and Level 2 with only around 5% have tried Level 3. It comes to light that lack of knowledge within SMEs and across the construction supply chain is not a major barrier for Australian SMEs. In essence, the main barriers stem from the risks associated with an uncertain return on investment (ROI) for BIM as perceived by key players in SMEs. The findings also show the validity of the framework proposed for explaining BIM adoption in Australian SMEs

Development of the framework for the integration of building information modeling to higher education in Malaysia

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a new project delivery process in the construction industry that has a growing need for competent workforce and its production. The literature confirms that, only a small fraction of stakeholders in the construction industry in Malaysia are aware of BIM, and are willing to adopt its culture, despite its relevance and benefits. This is due to non-availability of adequate BIM competent workforce for employment in the industry. In order to have a constant supply of adequate BIM workforce for the construction industry, knowledge and skills on BIM must be integrated into higher education academic programs. Hence, the study developed a framework to facilitate BIM knowledge and skills integration into the construction related academic departments in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia. The methodology adopted was a mixed method approach, where qualitative data was collected through interviews of thirteen practicing professionals, whilst the quantitative data was gathered using online questionnaire survey distributed to four hundred and eighty seven educators of HEIs. Sixty three educators from six public universities and three private universities responded to the online survey. Thematic content analysis was adopted to analyse the qualitative data using MAXQDA-12, while descriptive analysis was used to analyse the quantitative data. Furthermore, the study confirmed the workmanship is a crucial problem besides the lack of BIM knowledge and skills being the most critical ones. The study made use of the summation of findings to develop a BIM Education Integration Framework (BIMEIF) for BIM to be integrated into higher education. This framework consists of four stages that run through three developmental phases and the whole process is iterated. BIMEIF has been validated by thirteen experts in BIM knowledge and skills to ascertain the applicability of the framework. The validation result positively showed that the experts are in agreement that the framework is applicable as a guide for the integration of BIM into higher education academic programs in Malaysia. The framework would enhance the collaboration between academic and industry for BIM competence workforce development. As a conclusion, BIM is a technology as well as a process that facilitates collaboration, share of information, remove rework, and reduction of cost and time overruns. These are expected to stimulate Malaysia’s construction industry towards global standards and best practices

Dynamic Representation of Barriers for Adopting Building Information Modelling in Malaysian Tertiary Education

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is deemed to shape the future of the construction sector across the world. At present, the lack of BIM in tertiary education has been the rising concern around the world as the demand for BIM talent increases. The current landscape suggests that few pedagogic researches have been undertaken to advance BIM education, particularly in Malaysia. BIM implementation could only be possible by identifying the potential barriers, which is a basic pre-requisite for successful adoption of BIM. Unfortunately, previous studies on the barriers of BIM adoption have often based on theoretical constructs, which are deterministic in nature. The methodology used could not portray a conclusive correlation of causal relations among the variables, creating difficulty in developing holistic and workable solutions. Therefore, this study aims to develop a methodology that provides a dynamic representation of the barriers in implementing BIM in tertiary education. The methodology combines both the deterministic (feedback from questionnaire survey) and dynamic approach (causal loop diagram). Data was first collected and analysed through a questionnaire survey administered among lecturers from selected Malaysian universities. Following that, a dynamic systems approach (causal loop diagram) was used to demonstrate the complex nature and interrelationship of the barriers for a more holistic representation. Results from the deterministic analysis has suggested barriers that relate to technology, while findings from the dynamics has identified the people aspect as the core barrier for BIM adoption. This study has contributed in establishing a methodology that integrates the dynamic approach with the deterministic data towards providing a more holistic representation of a system that further enables the identification of holistic solutions that would address the core barriers inhibiting the implementation of BIM education, particularly at Malaysian Universities

Implementation of building information modelling in the Dominican Republic construction industry

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.The Dominican Republic (D.R.) is a Caribbean nation whose construction industry is key in the economic growth and development of the country; however, the productivity of the sector is being affected by inefficient traditional practices. The increased use and proven benefits of Building Information Modelling worldwide suggest that its implementation could be of great help in decreasing current issues in the Dominican construction industry. Nonetheless, there is no empirical work that sets the scene of the implementation of BIM in the country to make suggestions for its implementation. Therefore, this research aimed to bridge this gap by investigating the status of BIM in the D.R. and developing a framework to facilitate its implementation. For this purpose, a review of literature on BIM and emerging concepts, processes and technologies was undertaken. Furthermore, the initiatives and key players of BIM implementation worldwide were studied, which allowed the identification of the critical enabling factors for country-wide BIM implementation. A qualitative approach was adopted to carry out this research. The qualitative inquiry involved semi-structured interviews and was divided into two phases: the preliminary and the main study. In the preliminary study, eleven interviews were conducted with construction organisations to appraise and document BIM awareness and BIM implementation in the Dominican construction industry. In the main study, twenty-eight interviews directed to construction organisations were conducted to attain the same objective. This phase of the study also included interviews directed to professionals involved with the diffusion of BIM knowledge to explore and document the presence of BIM Education in the country, from which eight interviews were carried out. The data was analysed with the method of content analysis. The research concluded that the Dominican Republic is a BIM infant country. Most organisations are not implementing BIM, and current BIM approaches are mainly single-disciplinary, principally in Architecture. Implementation strategies are incomplete, primarily focusing on the provision of training to selected staff. Drivers to implement BIM in the country include BIM benefits, competitive advantage and pressure from external partners. Hitherto, there is only BIM training and different modes of dissemination of BIM knowledge in the country. Nonetheless, efforts to integrate BIM into university curricula were identified. Challenges hindering the implementation of BIM in the country were explored, and initiatives to propel the implementation were proposed. A framework for implementing BIM in the Dominican construction industry was developed and validated to confirm its suitability for the Dominican construction industry. Recommendations for industry practitioners, government, and academics have been put forward. This research contributes to the body of knowledge in the area of country-wide BIM implementation, BIM education, and the implementation of BIM at an organisational level.MESCy

Critical success factors and contractual risks for Private Finance 2 (PF2) projects implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Private Finance 2 (PF2) projects involved multiple stakeholders engaged in various contract structures, and numerous stages from initiation to operation in lengthy contract duration. Such situation cause complexity to PF2 projects, which may expose the projects to risks mainly related to collaborative networking, information integration, and contractual relationships. The emergence of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry is an immense achievement that can potentially assist the industry players to mitigate risks in PF2 projects. Notwithstanding such benefits, BIM also exposes its users to contractual risks when the barriers in sharing information are reduced. Therefore, this study investigates the key contractual risks and the strategies to mitigate the risks for PF2 projects implementing BIM. The study also considers the critical success factors (CSFs) for PF2 projects implementing BIM as these are the aspects underlying the mitigating strategies. Subsequently, this study develops a conceptual framework of contractual risks management for PF2 projects implementing BIM. The study is within the pragmatism philosophy; therefore it employs concurrent embedded mixed method strategy that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches. There are two stages of the study. At the first stage, data were collected through literature review, questionnaire survey and unstructured interviews with the industry experts. The results were then used to develop the preliminary conceptual framework of contractual risks management. In the second stage of the study, semi-structured interviews were carried out with the industry experts to validate the conceptual framework. Content analysis, thematic analysis, and mind mapping methods were used for the analysis of the qualitative data; whereas, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used for the analysis of the quantitative data. These have lead to the development of a holistic conceptual framework that illustrates the interconnection of the CSFs, contractual risks and the risks management strategies. The study suggests fourteen CSFs for PF2 projects implementing BIM. Five CSFs are considered as the most dominant, which are: (1) systematic workflows, coordination and integration; (2) good understanding on BIM; (3) technical competence; (4) robust and clear contractual provisions; and (5) effective collaboration among the project participants. In relation to this, the study also identifies eighteen BIM risk factors that can give significant impact towards PF2 projects, most of which are related to contractual issues and BIM competency. The study reveals twenty-two contractual risks for PF2 projects implementing BIM which are related to (1) information management; (2) data reliance; (3) status of BIM model; (4) intellectual property rights; and (5) liability issues. Twenty-four strategies to manage the contractual risks were identified by the study. Based on the findings, the study implies that the PF2 projects implementing BIM require seamless and collaborative contractual instrument that is able to link all stages in the project delivery, to make the project contractually organised for a lengthy period of time, and to sustain collaborative environment throughout the project duration.The conceptual framework suggested in this study is considered relevant for implementation to meet the needs of PF2 projects implementing BIM as it would help the Clients and PF2 Contractors in the process of negotiating and drafting their contractual provisions. The study is original as it addresses the use of BIM from the contractual perspective, through the lens of PF2 projects