Value Proposition for Enabling Construction Project Innovation by Applying Building Information Modeling.

Hui Liu,Qianqian Ju,Hujun Li,Na Zhao,Miroslaw J Skibniewski,Hanliang Fu

doi:10.1155/2022/2586307

Abstract

Building information modeling (BIM) is evolving as a digital infrastructure model for innovation in the construction field. The innovation-enabling potential of BIM has been highly neglected in the literature. This study explores the innovative potential of BIM, specifically its value in enabling construction innovation (CI). Through reflective research and a literature review, the relationship between BIM and CI is redefined, BIM-CI's value spectrum and underlying mechanisms are mapped and their required resources and activities are illustrated. The results indicate that different BIM applications provide various proinnovation environments wherein CI may flourish. Extra attention should be paid to BIM-enabled systematic collaborative innovation and digital innovation ecosystems with BIM as the core infrastructure that integrates the physical space with cyberspace to accelerate radical innovation. This study extends BIM management research by considering digital innovation and providing a new perspective for CI management theory and practice. The results will provide academics with a solid point of departure for developing relevant research and serve as a reference for practitioners who intend to utilize BIM for efficient innovation in construction projects.

Highlights

Since it was first proposed in the 1970s, building information modeling (BIM) has become the newest trend in the construction field
Some have focused on the functionality provided by BIM, while others have emphasized productivity and efficiency achievements enabled by BIM, such as existing construction management tools being integrated with open BIM to extend their capabilities in construction ecosystems [1] as well as integrating and enabling BIM capabilities to improve construction projects in combination with other innovations (e.g., new materials and new technologies such as threedimensional (3D) printing, cloud computing, and robotics)
It has been demonstrated that due to the characteristics of digital technologies, tremendous benefits are expected from digital technologies for construction innovation (CI). ere are very few researchers who have noticed this aspect of the potential of BIM, and most relevant research has used case studies to describe the process or the outcome of CI enabled by BIM through the application of specific functionality (e.g., 3D representation) during certain stages of construction projects [2, 6]

Summary

Introduction

Since it was first proposed in the 1970s, building information modeling (BIM) has become the newest trend in the construction field. Regardless of the benefits related to productivity improvement in particular activities, the innovative capability of BIM has been highly neglected in the literature [2, 3]. Innovative capability involves the ability of BIM in enabling its user or organization/network to work differently (i.e., innovate) for improvement [2]. Ere are very few researchers who have noticed this aspect of the potential of BIM, and most relevant research has used case studies to describe the process or the outcome of CI enabled by BIM through the application of specific functionality (e.g., 3D representation) during certain stages (e.g., the design phase) of construction projects [2, 6]. Systematic research on the innovative capabilities of BIM is extremely scarce

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion