A Conceptual Model for Investigating BIM Adoption by Organisations

Studies investigating Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption proliferated in recent years. Existing studies are characterised by both deficiencies in the adoption drivers and factors identified and an insufficient demarcation of key terms and concepts used. The suitability of using the results of these studies to investigate a conceptual model for BIM adoption is therefore impaired. This study presents (a) a holistic set of drivers and factors that influence BIM adoption by organisations, and (b) the theoretical fundamentals for the development of a conceptual model for BIM adoption by organisations. The set of drivers and factors for BIM adoption can be used by researchers and practitioners for different purposes (e.g., assessment, ranking, adoption strategies). The theoretical fundamentals of the proposed conceptual model combine the essential lenses from the pertinent theories (i.e., innovation diffusion theory, and institutional theory) and models (i.e., diffusion dynamic model: top-down diffusion dynamics including formal and informal mandates). The model can be used to empirically investigate the decisions to adopt BIM by organisations and understand the varying influence of different adoption drivers and factors.