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The concept of building information modelling (BIM) under various names such as building product models has been around over 30 years. Other industries such as aerospace and automotive have used similar informational models on their products to analyse their design, performance and manufacturability. The architecture, engineering and construction industry is now moving towards the adoption of such concepts, driven by the need to be competitive in the market, to reduce cost and time, and to satisfy the government regulations. In view of the recent interest in BIM, this paper reports on the findings of several case study research projects and discusses how this innovative solution works in practice. The introductory sections discuss the current consistent problems that occur during the engineering design and production processes despite the introduction of good practice management techniques. Case study empirical data are used to provide insight regarding the implications for BIM development, implementation and execution. Collectively the barriers to adoption, benefits achievable and opportunities for the future are discussed with the help of illustration. The contribution to knowledge is a BIM state-of-the-art review and its potential in future engineering practice.

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Vehicle weight reduction represents a viable means of meeting tougher regulatory requirements designed to reduce fuel consumption and control greenhouse gas emissions. This research presents an empirical and comparative analysis of lightweight magnesium (Mg) materials used to replace conventional steel in passenger vehicles with internal combustion engines. The very low density of Mg makes it a viable material for light weighting given that it 1/3 lighter than aluminium and 3/4 lighter than steel. Approach: A structural evaluation case study of the 'open access' Wikispeed car was undertaken. This included an assessment of material design characteristics such as bending stiffness, torsional stiffness and crashworthiness to evaluate whether magnesium provides a better alternative to the current usage of aluminium in the automotive industry. Findings: The Wikispeed car had an issue with the rocker beam width/ thickness (b/t) ratio indicating failure in yield instead of buckling. By changing the specified material, Aluminium Alloy 6061-T651 to Magnesium EN-MB10020 it was revealed that vehicle mass could be reduced by an estimated 110 kg, in turn improving the fuel economy by 10%. This however would require mechanical performance compromise unless the current design is modified. Originality: This is the first time that a comparative analysis of material substitution has been made on the Wikispeed car. The results of such work will assist in the lowering of harmful greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and simultaneously augment fuel economy.

3Purpose -Enterprise Systems upgrade is a complex phenomenon, yet it is possible to reduce the complexity, 4 through understanding the upgrade drivers. This paper investigates the various upgrade drivers, to provide a 5 detailed understanding of the factors driving upgrade decisions. 6Design/methodology/approach -This research is grounded in a qualitative survey design. It utilises a web-based 7 survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to collect data from 41 respondents representing 23 large 8 organisations. The data was qualitatively analysed and coded to identify the various drivers and their influence on 9ES upgrade decisions. 10Findings -Our results suggest that the upgrade decisions are dependent on establishing the need to upgrade, which 11is influenced by various drivers and stakeholders interests. Also, our findings suggest that organisations would 12 only opt to upgrade when benefits are aligned with the upgrade and when the decision makes business sense. 13Research limitations/implications -In this paper, we propose that there is a relationship between the upgrade 14 drivers and the upgrade strategy. However, qualitative studies can only formulate logical generalisations. Hence, 15future research could explore these associations through a quantitative study to provide probabilistic 16 generalisation, which offers either similar or conflicting arguments applicable to ES upgrade phenomenon. 17Originality/value -This paper provides an alternative classification of upgrade drivers and conceptualises an 18 association between upgrade drivers and the upgrade strategy, which in turn facilitates minimising disruptions and 19 upgrade risks. 20

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Purpose-Enterprise Systems (ES) upgrade is fundamental to maintaining a system's continuous improvement and stability. However, whilst the extant literature is replete with research on ES upgrade decision-making, there is scant knowledge about how different decision processes facilitate this decision to upgrade. This paper aims to investigate and better understand these processes from an organisation perspective. Research approach-A qualitative survey design adopted, utilised a web-based questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to collect data from 23 large organisations. Data accrued was qualitatively analysed and manually coded to identify the various decision processes undertaken during ES upgrade decisions. Findings-Analysis results reveal complex interrelations between the upgrade drivers, the need to evaluate the new version's functionality and the upgrade impact. Understanding the interaction between these elements influences the upgrade decision process. Research limitations-The study proposes ES upgrade processes that support a decision to upgrade major releases. Further research is required to offer either similar or conflicting arguments on the upgrade decision-making and provide a probabilistic generalisation of the decision-making processes. Originality-The research offers a comprehensive and empirically supported methodical approach that embraces an evaluation of a new version's functionality, technical requirements and concomitant upgrade implications as intrinsic decision processes. This approach assists in the decisions to establish the upgrade need and determine the level of change, effort required, impacts and associated benefits.