Aim: This study evaluated Building Information Modelling (BIM) awareness and adoption in Nigeria through the line of enquiry known as the 'diffusion of innovations' and its possible uptake. Study Design: The study is quantitative in nature and the primary data fetched through questionnaire survey within Nigerian construction industry. Place and Duration of the Study: Conducted within Northwest , North-central and Lagos, Nigeria for a period of 4 months. Methodology: A quantitative approach was adopted to x-ray the Nigerian construction industry; a structured questionnaire was used across the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). The generated data were analysed through descriptive statistics (in percentages) and presented in charts and graphs. Results: The result revealed that 59.5% are aware of BIM technology; 22.8% are aware and currently using BIM and the remaining 17.7% neither aware nor using BIM; consequently, the industry was evaluated just within the Late Majority in terms of awareness and just entered the Early Majority in terms of BIM technology adoption.

This is an author produced version of a paper published in Design Studies This version may not include final proof corrections and does not include published layout or pagination. Citation Details CopyrightItems in 'OpenAIR@RGU', Robert Gordon University Open Access Institutional Repository, are protected by copyright and intellectual property law. If you believe that any material held in 'OpenAIR@RGU' infringes copyright, please contact openair-help@rgu.ac.uk with details. The item will be removed from the repository while the claim is investigated. "NOTICE: this is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in Design Studies. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Design Studies, [VOL 35, ISSUE 4 THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER AIDED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROGRAMS ON CONCEPTUAL DESIGN IN AN EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT AbstractLittle research has been undertaken concerning the manner in which students use computer aided architectural design (CAAD) programs for conceptual design. The research aim was to explore the potential impact of CAAD programs as conceptual design tools within architectural design methodologies. Therefore, the study aimed to understand the effect of CAAD on self-reflection using a think-aloud method. The findings demonstrate that participants used CAAD representations for concept development, information visualisation and presentation of design strategies. Results from the detailed analysis of design process are enlightening, particularly in terms of the cyclical nature of conceptual design. Furthermore, the use of a micro-detail protocol study within this context suggests an appropriate methodology for application in further study of the architectural design process.

Computer Aided Design software and their kind are generally considered as Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools; moreover the sophistication level of one determines its maturity level. Education and research are the background to innovation while training is a window to continuity in skills transfer. The BIM uptake in the developing countries is significantly lagging behind; amongst various reasons is the lack of trained professionals. Experts are evolving from the industry professionals who are first trained in the university. This study determined the capacity of Nigerian universities in providing BIM tools training for BIM adoption in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). The study is quantitative in nature, with the primary data collected through a structured questionnaire survey within the built environment and engineering schools of Nigerian universities. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The institutions are physically ready with relatively sufficient hardware, however technically not ready due to insufficiency of up to date software. There is a significant correlation between software availability and proficiency level of training, while no correlation between academic qualification and the training proficiency. More than 70% of the students are graduating on ‘file based collaboration’ – 2D and 3D CAD knowledge with proficiency level between limited and practical application. However, the collaborative software training received proficiency level of basic to practical application; a 13% trained on collaboration software is very little to providing experts for the industry. This reveals a clear setback in the tools training to carter for the BIM uptake in the country.

Research on 'digitalization and collaboration' in the construction industry has been gaining momentum in the recent academic engagements. Despite its existence in many industries (i.e. financial services, retailing, publishing and travelling) for over ten years, it is yet to catch up by the construction market; this is due to several challenges whose existence are more dynamic and contextual than generic to various countries. The problems are defined in many studies across borders, but their impacts varied with countries. This case is equally the same to drivers toward the adoption of BIM. This study analyses barriers and drivers to BIM adoption in the Nigerian construction industry from adopters and non-adopters perspectives as to allow an informed decision in developing a strategy for macro BIM adoption. Primary data fetched from professional stakeholders through an online questionnaire survey were analysed using SPSS software and Microsoft Excel. This investigation reveals the most significant barriers against BIM adoption as Lack of expertise, Lack of standardization and protocols to mention but a few. And, most influential drivers from both adopters and non-adopters as Availability of trained professionals to handle the tools, Proof of cost savings by its adoption, BIM Software affordability, and awareness of the technology among the industry stakeholders. The adopters and non-adopters groups have nearly equal Percentage Disagreement (PD) and Percentage Agreement (PA) for both the barriers and drivers to BIM adoption. Thus, this suggests that the adopters are still at the early stage of BIM adoption, so have nearly the same perceptions with the non-adopters. The study recommends proper consideration of the established barriers and drivers while developing any strategy for effective BIM adoption. Further face-to-face (interview) study is necessary to explore more and in-depth challenges to adoption of BIM in the industry; and as the industry is getting more aware of the BIM, periodic evaluation of the critical barriers and drivers is vital.

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