Abstract
PurposeIn the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, a “digital divide” exists in technology adoption because SMEs (who often form the bulk of AEC organisations in most countries) are thought to be “Late Majority” and “Laggards” in the adoption of Building information modelling (BIM) technology. Larger organisations not saddled with financial and socio-technical constraints might be considered as being among the “Early Majority” or “Innovators”. It is crucial to understand how these organisations differ in their speed of BIM technology adoption and the rationale for this difference. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential causes of the digital divide and suggest solutions for bridging the gap.Design/methodology/approachUsing mixed research method, data were collected through online questionnaire survey of over 240 global respondents as well as a semi-structured interview with nine experts for which statistical and thematic analyses were used, respectively.FindingsOrganisations can be zoned into “layers” and “levels” of BIM technology adoption and their size is not always significant in terms of the speed at which they adopt BIM. The digital divide is unequal across layers/levels and large organisations utilise technologies across the BIM maturity levels depending on project circumstances. A conceptual model for BIM technology was developed to aid identification of the “Laggards” and “Late Majority” from the “Innovators” through which change agents can customise adoption strategies for each group.Originality/valueThe developed model could serve as a tool for engagement and policy making and it contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of BIM technology adoption.
Highlights
The overarching benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) have been well documented but the pace and extent of BIM adoption by businesses within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector varies
Their responses were analysed using cross-tabulation in SPSS in order to differentiate the large firms from the small firms (Fig. 7). Technologies, suggesting, that they were not currently operating at Level 2 BIM. This finding was further reinforced in the qualitative phase of the study where most participants firms claimed to be in Level 2 BIM but upon further probing, they accepted to be between Level 0 and 2 and sometimes at all three levels concurrently
The hypothesis tested indicated that there was no clear difference between large firms and small firms in the types and sophistications of BIM technology used which is somewhat contrary to Sexton et al (2006) who argued that these two contrasting organisations require different types of technology and knowledge to sustain themselves and perform well
Summary
The overarching benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) have been well documented but the pace and extent of BIM adoption by businesses within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector varies. It is generally slower than what a lot of governments across the globe want the sector to progress in their digital economy strategy. Large firms and small firms (SMEs) operate in the same AEC ecosystem, they are very different in their socio-economic categories and live in separate business habitats. The constraints faced by these organisations make a singular approach to adoption of BIM at the same pace unrealistic and some categories of firms are left behind while others proceed swiftly in exploiting new innovations and opportunities
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