Barriers to BIM implementation and ways forward to improve its adoption in the Nigerian AEC firms

Babatunde, SO; Udeaja, CE; Adekunle, AO

Abstract

Purpose –BIM has much potential to improve the effectiveness of construction works with
respect to design, construction and maintenance. However, many Architecture, Engineering, and
Construction (AEC) firms are still lagging in the adoption and implementation of BIM in both
developing and developed countries. The purpose of this study is to assess the barriers to BIM
implementation, and examine the ways forward to improve BIM adoption within the Nigerian
AEC firms.

Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review and questionnaire survey
were used in the study. The survey targeted four different AEC firms. These include architectural
firms, facility management firms, quantity surveying firms and structural engineering firms in
Lagos, Nigeria. The data obtained were analyzed using mean score, standard deviation, Kruskal-
Wallis test, and factor analysis.

Findings – The study identified 20 barriers to BIM implementation and identified 10 ways
forward to improve BIM adoption in AEC firms, particularly in Nigeria. The relative importance
of both the identified barriers and the ways forward were gauged. The Kruskal-Wallis tests
revealed that except for one (out of 20) identified barriers, and one (out of 10) identified ways
forward; there is no statistical significant difference in the perceptions of four different AEC
firms. The factor analysis result grouped the 20 identified barriers into three major factors to
include: weak top management support and BIM environment related issues; cost of BIM
software and training issues; and incompatibility, legal, contractual, and culture related issues.

Practical implications – The significance of the study cannot be over-emphasized due to BIM
relevance to construction stakeholders and researchers at large.

Originality/value – The study findings would inform the decisions of the construction
stakeholders to make some policy recommendations capable of positively influencing the full
BIM implementation in AEC firms.

Citation

Babatunde, S., Udeaja, C., & Adekunle, A. (2021). Barriers to BIM implementation and ways forward to improve its adoption in the Nigerian AEC firms. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 39(1), 48-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-05-2019-0047

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 16, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Mar 23, 2020
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 16, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 23, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation
• Print ISSN: 2398-4708
• Publisher: Emerald
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 48-71
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-05-2019-0047
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-05-2019-0047
• Related Public URLs: https://www-emerald-com.salford.idm.oclc.org/insight/publication/issn/2398-4708