Factors affecting BIM implementation in Saudi Arabia: a critical analysis
International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation
ISSN: 2398-4708
Article publication date: 24 May 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the underlying relationships between the critical factors of building information modeling (BIM) implementation and the factors' groupings among architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) organizations in Saudi Arabia. The objectives of the study are to (1) identify the critical factors for BIM implementation, (2) analyze the interrelationships between the critical factors and (3) compare the critical factors between the different organizational characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
First, potential factors were identified through a systematic literature review and interviews with AEC professionals. Then, a questionnaire survey was sent to AEC professionals and the collected data were analyzed using the following techniques and tests: mean score ranking, standard deviation, normalized value, factor analysis (FA), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey test.
Findings
The analyses show that 14 factors are critical for BIM implementation in Saudi Arabia. The top critical factors include the existence of standard contracts on data security and user confidentiality, consistent views on BIM among stakeholders and the availability of guidelines for implementing BIM. Of the 14 critical factors, 9 can be grouped into 4 underlying factors: environmental, governmental, legal and organizational. The analysis shows that the criticality of the most critical factors grouped by the FA varies between different levels of BIM competency. Finally, the presence of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in realizing BIM projects is a new and emerging critical factor for BIM implementation in Saudi Arabia.
Originality/value
This study differs from prior works on BIM implementation in Saudi Arabia by using FA to explore the underlying relationships among factors of BIM implementation and the factors' groupings. Based on the FA results, a roadmap for implementing the BIM was developed. These findings will help to purposefully and efficiently customize BIM implementation strategies and initiatives to ensure successful BIM implementation in Saudi Arabia.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work is supported by Universiti Malaysia Pahang [RDU210354]. The authors would like to thank the editors and anonymous reviewers whose invaluable comments and suggestions substantially improved the paper’s quality. The authors are also thankful to the industry practitioners that participated in this work.
Citation
Al-Mohammad, M.S., Haron, A.T., Rahman, R.A. and Alhammadi, Y. (2023), "Factors affecting BIM implementation in Saudi Arabia: a critical analysis", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-09-2021-0122
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited