An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms: an empirical study in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose Building information modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to examine the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assess the barriers to BIM implementation and examine the ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal–Wallis test and factor analysis. Findings This study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms. The result of the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents’ groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors. Practical implications This study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms, thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment. Originality/value This study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large.

Barriers to the Implementation of Building Information Modeling among Jordanian AEC Companies

“…Moreover, all the participating AEC companies listed "the cost of training", "the cost of software", and "huge BIM upfront investment" as among the top five barriers in implementing BIM. This is consistent with other similar studies that have identified these barriers as either significant or normal barriers to BIM implementation [28,32,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]. In Jordan, these results are likely because many Jordanian companies work on governmentfunded projects, while others work on private projects funded by the owner, who is also making decisions regarding the project.…”

“…The availability of studies on BIM and lack of knowledge has also been considered a critical factor to adopting BIM [37]. Other studies in Nigeria looking at contractor firms concluded that cost of the hardware and BIM software, cost of BIM training, and cost of BIM specialists and additional staff recruitment were the primary challenges to BIM adoption [38].…”

Factors affecting BIM implementation in post-conflict low-income economies: the case of Afghanistan

“…Moreover, some data analysis techniques, such as factor analysis, demands a sufficient sample size which can be effectively obtained using a questionnaire survey (Pallant, 2010). Other construction management studies have also used a similar approach when developing surveys (Marefat et al , 2019; Babatunde et al (2020; Liao and Teo (2017).…”

“…In the UK, BIM is mandatory in public projects since 2016 (Aibinu and Venkatesh, 2014). In Finland, all designs must be provided with Industry Foundation Class format as of 2007 (Babatunde et al , 2020). However, middle-income economies, such as China and India, have a lower implementation rate, with India standing among the lowest at 10%–18% (Ahuja et al , 2016).…”

“…However, middle-income economies, such as China and India, have a lower implementation rate, with India standing among the lowest at 10%–18% (Ahuja et al , 2016). Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria and Vietnam are also suffering from low BIM implementation in their local construction industries (Othman et al , 2020; Hatmoko et al , 2019; Dao et al , 2020; Babatunde et al , 2020). Furthermore, BIM implementation rates are down in low-income economies, including Ghana (Armah, 2015).…”