Investigation of the current usage of BIM capabilities by large-sized building contractors in Kenya based on theory of innovation diffusion

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to focus on the four user characteristics of innovation diffusion (availability, observability and trialability [AOT], simplicity, relative advantage [RA] and interoperability) to observe their influence on building information modelling (BIM) usage. This study focuses on the Kenyan construction industry, specifically the building contractors. Design/methodology/approach This study uses purposive sampling and specifically focusses on active construction sites that met requirements needed for BIM usage to thrive. Data was collected manually using questionnaires (N = 62). Findings This paper contributes to the analysis of the current state of BIM usage by the Kenyan construction industry specifically among building contractors and confirms that Kenya is at the early majority adopters’ stage of diffusion characterised by low BIM usage. In terms of correlation, this study found out that AOT had a strong positive correlation with usage, RA had a moderate positive correlation with usage, simplicity had a weak positive correlation with usage and interoperability had no correlation with usage. Practical implications This study gives a clear trend on BIM usage among building contractors to assist potential BIM users make informed decision. The recommendations in this study can be adopted by any late adopter jurisdiction whose structure of the construction industry is similar to Kenya’s. Originality/value This paper highlights variables that enable or subdue BIM usage. It goes further to localise and contextualise the barriers for deeper understanding of what makes these barriers be major hindrances towards BIM usage and giving practical solutions to these barriers.

Exploring the application of BIM in Tanzanian public sector projects using social network analysis

“…, 2021); the impact of barriers on the level of awareness of BIM (Olanrewaju et al. , 2022); the status of BIM in a given developing country (Oyuga et al. , 2023); the status, benefits and barriers of BIM (Acheng et al.…”

“…These works have investigated BIM adoption and implementation from different and in some cases overlapping perspectives. These have included works that explore the drivers to BIM implementation (Olanrewaju et al, 2021;Vigneshwar et al, 2022); the factors the influencing the capacity of organizations to implement BIM (Yusuf et al, 2022); the barriers to BIM implementation (Toyin and Mewomo, 2022); the barriers and strategies to BIM implementation (Babatunde et al, 2021); the impact of barriers on the level of awareness of BIM (Olanrewaju et al, 2022); the status of BIM in a given developing country (Oyuga et al, 2023); the status, benefits and barriers of BIM (Acheng et al, 2022) and factors influencing the adoption of BIM among small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) (Saka et al, 2022). Analysis of the works that have reported the BIM benefits reveals the functions that were perceived as advantageous by practitioners practicing in developing countries.…”

Research on Engineering Cost Management in the Context of Intelligent Construction

“…The intelligent development trend of the construction industry has put forward higher requirements for the cultivation of talents, and a number of high-level intelligent construction professionals are in urgent need [10]. At present, there are few schools offering relevant courses in our country and lack of training standards, which is not conducive to the training of professionals.…”

Barriers to Building Information Modeling (BIM) Deployment in Small Construction Projects: Malaysian Construction Industry

“…By consolidating all relevant multidisciplinary construction and design documents into a single repository, the BIM process facilitates the development and administration of data across the entire architecture engineering and construction (AEC) project lifecycle [1]. Oyuga et al [2] described the application of BIM as reviewing and checking the daily on-site performance of work activities in comparison to the created plans and confirming the expected performance before or throughout the project. Moreover, Durdyev et al [3] emphasized the BIM application in small construction projects to be essential, as it allows construction managers to make choices quickly and accurately based on critical inputs.…”

“…p value of Kruskal-Wallis test for intergroup comparison of respondents of different professions 2. p value of Kruskal-Wallis test for intergroup comparison of respondents of different organizations 3.…”