Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Generic and SME-specific factors that influence the BIM adoption process: an overview that highlights gaps in the literature

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Engineering Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Building information modeling/management (BIM) is an emerging technological and procedural shift in the architecture, engineering, construction and operation industry. In this study, we use an extensive state-of-the-art method to clarify the BIM adoption process and the factors that can influence the success or failure of BIM adoption, particularly during the implementation stage, which are not frequently found in the literature. As an innovation, the lexical field allocated to the spread of innovations is assigned to BIM (diffusion, adoption, and implementation). After recalling the definition of relevant terms and then removing the resulting inconsistencies in vocabularies, we investigate various studies to identify factors that influence BIM adoption and then unify all these studies in one coherent and consistent BIM adoption process model. We focus on factors that play a role in the adoption of BIM in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) because SMEs constitute the majority of companies in the construction sector. This research highlights and intends to fill in some gaps found in the current BIM adoption literature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abuelmaatti A A, Ahmed V S, Baban H S (2014). Collaborative technologies for small and medium-sized architecture, engineering and construction enterprises: implementation survey. Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 19: 210–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed A L, Kassem M (2018). A unified BIM adoption taxonomy: conceptual development, empirical validation and application. Automation in Construction, 96: 103–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed A, Kawalek P, Kassem M (2017). A conceptual model for investigating BIM adoption by organisations. In: Proceedings of the Joint Conference on Computing in Construction (JC3), Heraklion, Greece, 447–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Bahar J F, Crandall K C (1990). Systematic risk management approach for construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 116(3): 533–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldrich H (2008). Organizations and Environments. Palo Alto, California: Stanford University Press

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Arayici Y, Coates P, Koskela L, Kagioglou M, Usher C, O’reilly K (2011). Technology adoption in the BIM implementation for lean architectural practice. Automation in Construction, 20(2): 189–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Autissier D, Vandangeon-Derumez I, Vas A (2014). Change management, key concepts: 50 years of research from major authors. Paris: Dunod (in French)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barba-Sánchez V, Martínez-Ruiz M, Jiménez-Zarco A I (2007). Drivers, benefits and challenges of ICT adoption by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): a literature review. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 5(1): 103–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Bataw A, Burrows M, Kirkham R (2014). The challenges of adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM) principles within Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). In: Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality (CONVR2014), Sharjah, UAE., CONVR, 318–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonanomi M, Paganin G, Talamo C (2016). BIM implementation in design firms. Risk-Response Strategies to Support Change Management, 1–9

  • Burgelman R A, Mittman B S (1994). An intraorganizational ecological perspective on managerial risk behavior, performance, and survival: individual, organizational and environmental effects. In: Baum J, Singh J, eds. Evolutionary Dynamics in Organizations. New York: Oxford University Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Caille E (2017). Ranking of the first 300 architecture firms in France by sales revenue. D’Architectures,166–180 (in French)

  • Chien K F, Wu Z H, Huang S C (2014). Identifying and assessing critical risk factors for BIM projects: empirical study. Automation in Construction, 45: 1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis F D (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. Management Information Systems Quarterly, 13(3): 319–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiMaggio P J, Powell W W (1983). The iron cage revisited: institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields. American Sociologiview, 48(2):147–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards T, Delbridge R, Munday M (2005). Understanding innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises: a process manifest. Technovation, 25(10): 1119–1127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Georgiadou M C (2016). Building Information Modelling in UK construction projects: a state of the art review. In: COBRA 2016, Toronto, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghaffarianhoseini A, Doan D T, Zhang T, Ghaffarianhoseini A, Naismith N, Tookey J (2016). A BIM readiness & implementation strategy for SME construction companies in the UK. In: Proceedings of the 33rd CIB W78 Conference

  • Gledson B, Henry D, Bleanch P (2012). Does size matter? Experiences and perspectives of BIM implementation from large and SME construction contractors In: 1st UK Academic Conference on Building Information Management (BIM) 2012, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood R, Hinings C R (1988). Organizational design types, tracks and the dynamics of strategic change. Organization Studies, 9(3): 293–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu N, London K (2010). Understanding and facilitating BIM adoption in the AEC industry. Automation in Construction, 19(8): 988–999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannan M T, Freeman J (1977). The population ecology of organizations. American Journal of Sociology, 82(5): 929–964

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannan M T, Freeman J (1984). Structural inertia and organizational change. A merican Sociological Review, 49(2): 149–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hochscheid E, Halin G (2018a). BIM implementation in architecture firms: interviews, case studies and action research used to build a method that facilitates implementation of BIM processes and tools. In: Proceedings of the 36th ECAADe Annual Conference, Lodz, Poland, 10

    Google Scholar 

  • Hochscheid E, Halin G (2018b). A model to approach BIM adoption process and possible BIM implementation failures. In: Proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2018 (CCC), Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hochscheid E, Ribereau-Gayon M, Halin G, Hanser D (2016). BIM implementation in SMEs: an experience of cooperation between an architect agency and a carpentry firm. In: Proceedings of ICCCBE2016, Osaka, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzer D (2015). The BIM Manager’s Handbook, Part 2: Change Management. New York: John Wiley & Sons

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong Y, Sepasgozar S M, Ahmadian A F F, Akbarnezhad A (2016). Factors influencing BIM adoption in small and medium sized construction organizations. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hosseini M R, Namzadi M O, Rameezdeen R, Banihashemi S, Chileshe N (2016). Barriers to BIM adoption: Perceptions from Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In: AUBEA 2016: Proceedings of the 40th Australasian Universities Building Education Association Annual Conference, Central Queensland University, 271–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosseini R, Pärn E, Edwards D, Papadonikolaki E, Oraee M (2018) Roadmap to mature BIM use in Australian SMEs: competitive dynamics perspective. Journal of Management Engineering, 34(5): 05018008

    Google Scholar 

  • Insee (2015). The national institute of statistics and economic studies collects, analyses and disseminates information on the French economy and society, Construction sector-Companies in France. Insee References (in French), free access in Insee website

  • Insee (2016). The national institute of statistics and economic studies collects, Decree n°2008–1354 article 3. Definition of Enterprise Categories (in French), free access in Insee website

  • Insee (2017). The national institute of statistics and economic studies collects, analyses and disseminates information on the French economy and society, economic outlook. Insee References (in French), free access in Insee website

  • Karlsson C (1988). Innovation adoption and the product life cycle. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Umeå: Umeå a Universitet

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassem M, Succar B (2017). Macro BIM adoption: comparative market analysis. Automation in Construction, 81: 286–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein K J, Sorra J S (1996). The challenge of innovation implementation. Academy of Management Review, 21(4): 1055–1080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kotter J P, Cohen D S (2002). The Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations. Boston: Harvard Business School Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Kouider T, Paterson J J G (2014). Architectural technology and the BIM acronym: 2. Reviewing evolving paradigms for BIM implementation among SMEs. In: Architectural Technology, Towards Innovative Professional Practice: Conference Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of Architectural Technology, Aberdeen 2014 (ICAT2014), Robert Gordon University

    Google Scholar 

  • Laforet S (2013). Organizational innovation outcomes in SMEs: effects of age, size, and sector. Journal of World Business, 48(4): 490–502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lines B C, Sullivan K T, Smithwick J B, Mischung J (2015). Overcoming resistance to change in engineering and construction: change management factors for owner organizations. International Journal of Project Management, 33(5): 1170–1179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machado M, Underwood J, Fleming A J (2016). Implementing BIM to streamline a design, manufacture, and fitting workflow: a case study on a fit-out SME in the UK. International Journal of 3-D Information Modeling, 5(3): 31–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malleson A, Kato H, Popíšilová B, Watson D, Friborg G (2016). NBS International BIM Report 2016. NBS Report

  • McGraw Hill Construction (2010). The business value of BIM in Europe: getting building information modelling to the bottom line the United Kingdom, France and Germany

  • McGraw Hill Construction (2014). The business value of BIM for construction in major global markets: how contractors around the world are driving innovations with Building Information Modelling. Smart Mark

  • Mintzberg H, Westley F (1992). Cycles of organizational change. Strategic Management Journal, 13(S2): 39–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murguia S D E, Demian P, Soetanto R (2017). A systemic BIM innovation model in the construction supply chain. In: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual ARCOM Conference, Cambridge, UK 15–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettigrew A M (1987). Context and action in the transformation of the firm. Journal of Management Studies, 24(6): 649–670

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poirier E, Staub-French S, Forgues D (2015). Embedded contexts of innovation: BIM adoption and implementation for a specialty contracting SME. Construction Innovation, 15(1): 42–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PTNB (2017). Barometer-BIM in the construction sector. PTNB (in French)

  • Rogers E M (2003). Diffusion of Innovations. 5th ed. New York: Simon and Schuster

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainsaulieu R, Segrestin D (1986). Towards a sociological theory of business. Sociology of Labor, 28(3): 335–352 (in French)

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh J V, House R J, Tucker D J (1986). Organizational change and organizational mortality. Administrative Science Quarterly, 31(4): 587–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith P (2014). BIM Implementation—Global Strategies. Procedia Engineering, 85, 482–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoneman P, Diederen P (1994). Technology diffusion and public policy. Economic Journal (London), 104(425): 918–930

    Google Scholar 

  • Succar B (2009). Building information modelling framework: a research and delivery foundation for industry stakeholders. Automation in Construction, 18(3): 357–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Succar B, Kassem M 2015. Macro-BIM adoption: conceptual structures. Automation in Construction, 57: 64–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tétard F, Collan M (2009). Lazy user theory: a dynamic model to understand user selection of products and services. In: 2009 42nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, IEEE Conferences, 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Turk Z (2000). Construction IT: definition, framework and research issues. In: Fischiner M, ed. Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering on the Doorstep of the Millennium: On the Occasion of Its 80th Anniversary, 17–32

  • Venkatesh V, Davis F D (2000). A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: four longitudinal field studies. Management Science, 46(2): 186–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waarts E, van Everdingen Y M, van Hillegersberg J (2002). The dynamics of factors affecting the adoption of innovations. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 19(6): 412–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waterhouse R, Parkinson K, Malleson A (2017). National BIM Report 2017. NBS Report

  • Winch G, McDonald J (1999). SMEs in an environment of change: computer-based tools to aid learning and change management. Industrial and Commercial Training, 31(2): 49–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MAP-CRAI, UMR n° 3495 CNRS/MCC, École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Nancy, 2 rue Bastien Lepage, Nancy, France

    Elodie Hochscheid & Gilles Halin

  2. Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France

    Gilles Halin

Authors
  1. Elodie Hochscheid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gilles Halin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elodie Hochscheid.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hochscheid, E., Halin, G. Generic and SME-specific factors that influence the BIM adoption process: an overview that highlights gaps in the literature. Front. Eng. Manag. 7, 119–130 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42524-019-0043-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42524-019-0043-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation