Adoption and implementation of building information modelling (BIM) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): a review and conceptualization
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 20 October 2020
Issue publication date: 16 July 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the SMEs representing a large percentage of firms in the construction industry, there has been an under-representation of SMEs’ perspective in BIM research studies. This paper aims to systematically review the few extant studies with a view of synthesizing the findings.
Design/methodology/approach
Hermeneutic philosophy using the interpretivist epistemology approach with a touch of metasynthesis was adopted to critically review and analyse extant studies published over the last decade.
Findings
The findings revealed a scarcity of BIM studies in SMEs, the status of adoption, identified barriers, benefits and drivers. A conceptual model was then developed based on the literature review and theoretical lenses of innovation diffusion model, technology–organization–environment framework and institutional theory. The paper presents pertinent propositions to drive BIM in the SMEs.
Originality/value
This paper holistically reviews extant BIM studies from the perspective of SMEs that are the backbone of the construction industry. It synthesizes extant studies and sets scenes for further studies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research study was fully supported through funding of the full-time PhD research studentship under the auspice of the Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. The current study was accomplished as part of a PhD research project from which other publications have been produced with different research objectives and scopes but sharing similar background. Also, the authors are grateful to the editors and the anonymous reviewers whose constructive comments and suggestions have significantly helped in improving the quality of this paper.
Citation
Saka, A.B. and Chan, D.W.M. (2021), "Adoption and implementation of building information modelling (BIM) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): a review and conceptualization", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 28 No. 7, pp. 1829-1862. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-06-2019-0332
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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