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Examining critical perspectives on Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption in New Zealand

Dat Tien Doan (Department of Built Environment Engineering, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)
Ali GhaffarianHoseini (Department of Built Environment Engineering, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)
Nicola Naismith (Department of Built Environment Engineering, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)
Amirhosein Ghaffarianhoseini (Department of Built Environment Engineering, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)
Tongrui Zhang (Department of Built Environment Engineering, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)
John Tookey (Department of Built Environment Engineering, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment

ISSN: 2046-6099

Article publication date: 9 July 2020

Issue publication date: 12 November 2021

1309

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to explore the perspectives of the key actors in the New Zealand construction industry towards BIM adoption. Specifically, four themes are examined, including what BIM is; BIM knowledge and understanding; benefits of BIM adoption; and challenges/barriers to BIM adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach using 21 semi-structured interviews with industry experts was adopted.

Findings

The results raise a question concerning whether the New Zealand construction industry needs a unique definition of BIM to achieve a clear and consistent understanding amongst construction practitioners. It was found out that most of the construction practitioners in New Zealand are not well aware of BIM, especially the contractors, QSs, supply chain companies and the SMEs. Fourteen potential benefits and ten barriers/challenges to BIM adoption were identified. Individually, time-saving was considered as the most benefit of BIM adoption while BIM understanding was suggested as the most significant barrier by all the interviewees.

Originality/value

The research provides valuable insights into BIM understanding as well as recommendations regarding BIM adoption in New Zealand. The results could be considered baseline information for the companies and government to have effective strategies towards BIM adoption. Furthermore, it confirms that characteristics such as benefits and barriers to BIM adoption amongst different countries could be similar. Therefore, it could be useful to analyse the studies, strategies and practices of the pioneer countries in BIM adoption for the implementation.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the interviewees who participated in this study. This paper is a significant upgrade to the paper “What is BIM? A Need for a Unique BIM Definition” presented at the Inaugural International Conference on the Built Environment and Engineering in Malaysia on 29–30 October 2018. This research has been supported by a Vice Chancellor Doctoral Scholarship by Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

Citation

Doan, D.T., GhaffarianHoseini, A., Naismith, N., Ghaffarianhoseini, A., Zhang, T. and Tookey, J. (2021), "Examining critical perspectives on Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption in New Zealand", Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 594-615. https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-04-2020-0043

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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