Abstract
Ecosystem theory provides a new perspective for studying the development of the architecture engineering and construction (AEC) industry in the age of information and communication technology (ICT). As an extremely ICT innovation, building information modelling (BIM) not only brings technical benefits to the AEC industry, but changes the innovation paradigm of the AEC industry towards an innovation ecosystem, which improve productivity and sustainability throughout the project life cycle. This article contributes to innovation ecosystem theory by exploring the structure of the BIM ecosystem and deriving its cultivation path. Then, as the leading city in China for developing BIM technologies, Shanghai was selected as the case study to elaborate on the cultivation path of the BIM ecosystem. The results indicate that three layers identified in the structure contribute to the understanding of the boundaries, units, and analytical focus of the BIM ecosystem, with the BIM platform being the core layer. This topology structure, with the BIM platform as the hub, promotes interdependency and symbiosis among participants in the cultivation of the BIM ecosystem, supporting the birth, expansion, maturity, re-innovation (or extinction), and sustainable development of the BIM ecosystem. This research complements and extends literature on the BIM ecosystem, and provides implications as to the construction, cultivation, and sustainability of BIM ecosystems for emerging economy firms.
Highlights
The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, as one of the major contributors to both environmental and socioeconomic issues, is vital in achieving sustainable development [1]
This article contributes to innovation ecosystem theory by exploring the structure of the building information modelling (BIM) ecosystem and deriving its cultivation path
The BIM ecosystem is composed of internal systems (BIM platforms and project stakeholders) and external supporting environments
Summary
The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, as one of the major contributors to both environmental and socioeconomic issues, is vital in achieving sustainable development [1]. BIM has become a key solution to various challenges of implementing sustainable construction phases [14] In this context, the objective of this article was to analyze the formation and evolution of BIM in China from the perspective of an innovation ecosystem. The cultivation path of the BIM ecosystem in China will provide valuable references for other countries that are applying or preparing to adopt BIM technology.
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