Unravelling project ecologies of innovation: A review of BIM policy and diffusion

As the concept of Building Information Modelling (BIM) gains traction in the construction industry, many studies have been attracted to understanding its adoption in firms (micro-level), implementation in projects (intermediate level), and diffusion across the industry (macro-level). This is a theoretical paper which mobilises contextual theories from Social Science and Project Management, such as institutional logics and project ecologies respectively, to map and rationalise the various social layers activated in diffusing BIM innovation across different national contexts (countries). Drawing upon data about Anglo-Saxon and corporatist-type national business systems, there is currently a mismatch between their BIM innovation diffusion strategy – which unfolds in a top-down and bottom-up manner respectively –, and their intended outcomes. This study highlighted that the diffusion of BIM innovation has been seen as disruptive in the United Kingdom and incremental in countries such as the Netherlands and Norway. Apart from mapping various social layers activated in BIM diffusion, this study outlines implication for policy-makers and practitioners, by stressing that not only global solutions for BIM diffusion are probably misguided, but re-establishing the links between project and context is a comprehensive approach to dismiss the rhetoric of BIM panacea and a sensible way to increase BIM diffusion and effective BIM implementation in project

Blockchain use cases across entire lifecycle of a built asset: A review

Blockchain is a key enabling technology towards the 4th industrial revolution of the construction industry. The aim of this paper is to map uses of blockchain technology across the various phases in the lifecycle of built assets. Of interest to this paper is a new classification of blockchain solutions in combination with other key enabling technologies, like Building Information Modelling and Internet of Things. The literature indicates that blockchain shows high potential for solving challenges across the entire lifecycle of a project and has an especially high potential to influence and possibly improve management in the Operation and Maintenance phase

BIM implementation and project coordination in design-build procurement

Various procurement methods have been proposed as being more appropriate for implementing BIM. Simultaneously, BIM implementation affects the project coordination. Whereas many approaches to BIM implementation have considered integrated procurement, not all are applicable to various local markets. Particularly in the Netherlands, BIM implementation is characterized by 'ground-up' and self-regulated initiatives. This paper aims to explore and identify the relationship between design-build procurement and the emerging coordination structures from BIM. Exploratory case study research has been undertaken. The findings included two main coordination structures: centralized and decentralized. These two structures subsequently carry implications for various construction firms and their respective business models, as well as BIM implementation in general

A comparative case study of coordination mechanisms in design and build BIM-based projects in the Netherlands

BIM implementation can affect the project coordination mechanisms in unexpected ways, even in widely-applied project procurement structures. Apart from the chosen procurement approach, the BIM technology and the distribution of roles in the project team influence and shape the project coordination. This paper aims to explore the emerging coordination structures and processes from BIM implementation in design-build procurement. An exploratory comparative case study has been undertaken. The findings included two main coordination mechanisms: a centralized and decentralized structure and a hierarchical ver-sus participative decision-making processes. These two patterns subsequently open a debate about the rela-tions between BIM implementation and business models in AEC and particularly the emergence of specialized all-around BIM firms versus BIM-knowledgeable engineering firms

Boundary spanning and knowledge brokering for digital innovation

The adoption of digital innovations in construction is a topic with growing importance, as organisations restructure to adopt and sustain innovations. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is currently at the forefront of this digital shift in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The relation between knowledge sharing and sustained innovation adoption in organisations has been previously acknowledged by management scholars. There is further room to adopt a structurational view of knowledge and focus on how agency contributes to knowledge sharing for increasing digital innovation adoption in firms. This paper uses the theoretical lens of boundaries and boundary brokers to guide the data selection and interpret a rich dataset about boundary brokers of digital innovation. The research aim is to explore how these boundary brokers, referred to as digital innovation champions, facilitate knowledge of digital innovations and BIM to support digital transformation in firms. A single case study of a large international multi-disciplinary consultancy was used as a research setting. Data were collected through interviews with the digital champions as well as with additional data collected from the internal online platform for data triangulation and research validation. Key findings include the multi-faceted levels of boundaries crossed by the digital champions to share knowledge about digital innovation: hierarchical, professional and organisational boundaries. Namely, the digital champions were found to hold multiple memberships in groups, holding both technical and inter-personal competences as well as engaging in conflict resolution. The study concludes with implications for practice and suggests courses of actions to increase knowledge sharing in firms for innovation adoption by developing and incentivising individuals

Infrastructure megaprojects as enablers of digital innovation transitions

Innovation refers to the development of a new product, service or process (Abernathy and Clark, 1985). Novelty and innovations are often observed in projects (Shenhar and Dvir, 2007). Innovations are highly context-dependent and rely on good projects (Shenhar and Dvir, 2007). Infrastructure megaprojects have a particularly close relationship with innovation (Davies et al., 2009). This relation between innovation and its context, such as infrastructure megaprojects. is important for understanding innovation. Digital innovation is differentiated from other innovations as it is highly pervasive and systemic (Egyedi and Sherif, 2008). This chapter increases our understanding of digital innovation and its relation to institutional contexts, especially infrastructure megaprojects. Focusing on the relation between digital innovation and infrastructure megaprojects, such as London Heathrow and Crossrail (Davies et al., 2009; Dodgson et al., 2015), shows how these infrastructure megaprojects influenced institutions through standardisation to promote digital innovation

Shifting trust in construction supply chains through blockchain technology

Purpose: Blockchain technology is booming in many industries. Its application in supply chain management is also gradually increasing. Supply chain management (SCM) has long been committed to reducing costs and increasing efficiency and is trying to optimise resources and reduce the sector's fragmentation. Trust has always been an important factor in managing supply chain relationships, and it also affects the efficiency of supply chain operations. To this end, this study aims to examine how trust is affected by the introduction of blockchain technology in construction supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on semi-structured interviews and publicly available information from experts in blockchain and construction supply chain management. Through content analysis, the data are analysed thematically to explore how various types of trust, such as system-based, cognition-based and relation-based, are affected by blockchain technology. Findings: Blockchain technology provides solutions for data tracking, contracting and transferring resources in supply chain management. These applications help enhance the various sources of trust in SCM and provide supply chain partners with protection mechanisms to avoid the risks and costs of opportunistic behaviour in collaboration, shifting trust from relational to system-based and cognition-based. Research limitations/implications: This study focuses only on inter-organisational rather than interpersonal trust and empirical data from experts whose knowledge and cognition could be subjective. Practical implications: Leveraging the potential of digitalisation to manage trust requires that leaders and managers actively try to improve contractual arrangements, information sharing and being open to new innovative technologies like blockchain. Social implications: From a relational view of supply chain management, the extent to which blockchain technology can develop and spread depends on the readiness of the social capital to accept decentralised governance structures. Originality/value: This study builds upon an original data set and discusses features and applications of blockchain technology, explores the sources and dimensions of trust in supply chain management and explains the impact of blockchain technology on trust

Boundary-spanning for managing digital innovation in the AEC sector

Managing projects in Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) undergoes a digital transformation as novel technologies emerge. Digital technologies, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), push this transformation. Innovation happens in firms and project-based organisations where agents shape how digital technologies are adopted and implemented. This study offers insights into agents of digital innovation, by conducting engaged scholarship within the case study of one large international multi-disciplinary consultancy. The study first builds upon qualitative data collected by interviewing digital agents. Additional data, for triangulation and research validation, were collected from an internal online platform. The analysis revealed a disconnect between digital agents’ technical background, skills and their managerial routines. These individuals crossed professional, hierarchical and organisational boundaries, showed multi-membership and held fluid identities. This has implications for the interfaces between organisational behaviour and projects. The study concludes with suggestions for AEC organisations to reap the benefits of digitalisation