BIM as a Boundary Object in Construction Projects: A Knowledge-as-Practice Perspective

Abstract

Collaboration in a construction project faces challenges of knowledge sharing among different team members across organisational and disciplinary boundaries. As an example of ICT innovation in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is thought to play a boundary object role in collaboration. The literature, however, is less clear on how BIM technology as a boundary object is used for knowledge sharing in construction projects. This paper conceptualises BIM technology as a boundary object for collaboration in a construction project from a knowledge-as-practice perspective. The conceptual framework explains how BIM technology as tools and artefacts become boundary objects-in-use in a construction project collaboration. The paper demonstrates how this can further contribute to our understanding of knowledge sharing in construction projects as a boundary spanning practice among different backgrounds. As success within an increasingly digitalised society depends on ICT-based collaborations of diverse teams and professionals, a deeper understanding regarding such boundary objects-in-use can be particularly useful.