Roadmap to Mature BIM Use in Australian SMEs: Competitive Dynamics Perspective

Abstract

This research reports upon the scale of building information modeling (BIM) implementation maturity, from nonadoption to full-scale deployment, within small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) operating within the Australian construction industry. The research utilizes a competitive dynamics perspective (CDP) as the theoretical lens and analyses data collected from 135 SMEs using Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) to provide a richer insight into levels of BIM implementation maturity. Findings reveal that there is no meaningful association between BIM implementation maturity within SMEs and their organizational attributes, such as size and level of experience. A paucity of solid evidence to support a reasonable return on investment (ROI) was also identified as a key barrier to using BIM in higher levels of maturity. In practical terms, the study focuses on pertinent issues associated with mandated BIM in Australia from SMEs’ perspectives, pointing out potential consequences and challenging the pressure for mandating. The research concludes by outlining industrial implications and providing pragmatic recommendations designed to accelerate the pace that Australian SMEs move across a BIM trajectory from nonadoption to higher levels of maturity.