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An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms: an empirical study in Nigeria

Solomon Olusola Babatunde (Department of Quantity Surveying, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria)
Srinath Perera (School of Computing Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia)
Damilola Ekundayo (School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK)
Damilola Sarah Adeleke (Department of Quantity Surveying, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria)

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction

ISSN: 1366-4387

Article publication date: 12 August 2020

Issue publication date: 30 April 2021

503

Abstract

Purpose

Building information modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to examine the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assess the barriers to BIM implementation and examine the ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal–Wallis test and factor analysis.

Findings

This study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms. The result of the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents’ groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors.

Practical implications

This study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms, thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment.

Originality/value

This study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large.

Keywords

Citation

Babatunde, S.O., Perera, S., Ekundayo, D. and Adeleke, D.S. (2021), "An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms: an empirical study in Nigeria", Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 23-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMPC-06-2019-0054

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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