Digital Transformation in Developing Countries: A Study into BIM Adoption in Thai Design and Engineering SMEs

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the major technological trend among built environment organisations. Digitalising businesses and operations, BIM brings forth a digital transformation in any built environment industry. The adoption of BIM presents challenges for organisations, especially Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The main problem for built environment SMEs is the lack of project actors with adequate BIM competences. The research highlights learning in projects as the key and explores into the learning of BIM in projects of designers and engineers within Thai design and engineering SMEs. The study uncovers three impeding attributes which are: a) lack of English proficiency; b) unfamiliarity with digital technologies; and c) absence of public standards. This research expands on the literature of BIM competences and adoption.





References:
[1] D. Headrick, “The Construction Industry Goes Digital,” in Research-Technology Management, 2017, pp. 6–8.
[2] A. Ghaffarianhoseini et al., “Building Information Modelling (BIM) uptake: Clear benefits, understanding its implementation, risks and challenges,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 75, no. December 2016, pp. 1046–1053, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.083.
[3] H. Lindblad and S. Vass, “BIM Implementation and Organisational Change: A Case Study of a Large Swedish Public Client,” Procedia Econ. Financ., vol. 21, no. 15, pp. 178–184, 2015, doi: 10.1016/S2212-5671(15)00165-3.
[4] D. Migilinskas, V. Popov, V. Juocevicius, and L. Ustinovichius, “The benefits, obstacles and problems of practical bim implementation,” Procedia Eng., vol. 57, pp. 767–774, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.proeng.2013.04.097.
[5] A. Dainty, R. Leiringer, S. Fernie, and C. Harty, “BIM and the small construction firm: a critical perspective,” Build. Res. Inf., vol. 45, no. 6, pp. 696–709, 2017, doi: 10.1080/09613218.2017.1293940.
[6] D. Murguia, P. Demian, and R. Soeatanto, “A Systemic BIM Innovation Model in the Construction Supplu Chain,” Proc. 33rd Annu. ARCOM Conf., pp. 15–24, 2017.
[7] P. Davis, T. Gajendran, J. Vaughan, and T. Owi, “Assessing construction innovation: theoretical and practical perspectives,” Constr. Econ. Build., vol. 16, no. 3, p. 104, 2016, doi: 10.5130/AJCEB.v16i3.5178.
[8] T. Puolitaival and P. Forsythe, “Practical challenges of BIM education,” Struct. Surv., vol. 34, no. 45, pp. 351–366, 2016, Accessed: Dec. 08, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1108/SS-12-2015-0053.
[9] B. Succar and W. Sher, “A Competency Knowledge-Base for BIM Learning,” Australas. J. Constr. Econ. Build. - Conf. Ser., vol. 2, no. 2, p. 1, 2014, doi: 10.5130/ajceb-cs.v2i2.3883.
[10] M. Uhm, G. Lee, and B. Jeon, “An analysis of BIM jobs and competencies based on the use of terms in the industry,” Autom. Constr., vol. 81, no. March, pp. 67–98, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2017.06.002.
[11] V. Bartsch, M. Ebers, and I. Maurer, “Learning in project-based organizations: The role of project teams’ social capital for overcoming barriers to learning,” Int. J. Proj. Manag., vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 239–251, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2012.06.009.
[12] V. Sakhrani, P. S. Chinowsky, and J. E. Taylor, “Grand Challenges in Engineering Project Organization,” Eng. Proj. Organ. J., vol. 7, no. August, p. 1, 2017, [Online]. Available: www.epossociety.org.
[13] A. Davies and T. Brady, “Explicating the dynamics of project capabilities,” Int. J. Proj. Manag., vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 314–327, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.04.006.
[14] L. E. Bygballe and M. Ingemansson, “The logic of innovation in construction,” Ind. Mark. Manag., vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 512–524, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.indmarman.2013.12.019.
[15] A. Hartmann and A. Dorée, “Learning between projects: More than sending messages in bottles,” Int. J. Proj. Manag., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 341–351, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.07.006.
[16] R. Eadie, M. Browne, H. Odeyinka, C. Mc Keown, and S. Mc Niff, “A survey of current status of and perceived changes required for BIM adoption in the UK,” Built Environ. Proj. Asset Manag., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 4–21, 2015, doi: 10.1108/BEPAM-07-2013-0023.
[17] Z. Ding, J. Zuo, J. Wu, and J. Wang, “Key factors for the BIM adoption by architects: A China study,” Eng. Constr. Archit. Manag., vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 732–748, 2015, (Online). Available: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2015-0053.
[18] A. Wolfe, “The Technology Digital Divide and Why You Can’t Avoid It,” Painting & Wallcovering Contractor, 2007.
[19] X. Li, P. Wu, G. Q. Shen, X. Wang, and Y. Teng, “Mapping the knowledge domains of Building Information Modeling (BIM): A bibliometric approach,” Autom. Constr., vol. 84, no. September, pp. 195–206, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2017.09.011.
[20] U. Plesner and M. Horst, “BEFORE STABILIZATION: Communication and non-standardization of 3D digital models in the building industry,” Inf. Commun. Soc., vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 1115–1138, 2013, doi: 10.1080/1369118X.2012.695387.
[21] L. Ding, Y. Zhou, and B. Akinci, “Building Information Modeling (BIM) application framework: The process of expanding from 3D to computable nD,” Autom. Constr., vol. 46, pp. 82–93, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2014.04.009.
[22] R. Santos, A. A. Costa, and A. Grilo, “Bibliometric analysis and review of Building Information Modelling literature published between 2005 and 2015,” Autom. Constr., vol. 80, pp. 118–136, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2017.03.005.
[23] R. Miettinen and S. Paavola, “Beyond the BIM utopia: Approaches to the development and implementation of building information modeling,” Autom. Constr., vol. 43, pp. 84–91, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2014.03.009.
[24] E. Papadonikolaki, “The Digital Supply Chain: Mobilising Supply Chain Management Philosophy to Reconceptualise Digital Technologies and Building Information Modelling (BIM),” in Successful Construction SUpply Chain Management, 2020, pp. 13–41.
[25] G. Vial, “Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda,” J. Strateg. Inf. Syst., vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 118–144, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003.
[26] A. Glema, “Building Information Modeling BIM-Level of Digital Construction,” Arch. Civ. Eng., vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 39–51, 2017, doi: 10.1515/ace-2017-0027.
[27] R. Howard and B. C. Björk, “Building information modelling - Experts’ views on standardisation and industry deployment,” Adv. Eng. Informatics, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 271–280, 2008, doi: 10.1016/j.aei.2007.03.001.
[28] R. Edirisinghe and K. London, “Comparative Analysis of International and National Level BIM Standardization Efforts and BIM adoption,” in Proc. of the 32nd CIB W78 Conference 2015, 27th-29th October 2015, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 2015, no. October, pp. 149–158.
[29] B. C. Björk and M. Laakso, “CAD standardisation in the construction industry - A process view,” Autom. Constr., vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 398–406, 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2009.11.010.
[30] E. Maradza, J. Whyte, and G. D. Larsen, “Standardisation of building information modelling in the UK and USA: Challenges and opportunities,” in AEI 2013: Building Solutions for Architectural Engineering - Proceedings of the 2013 Architectural Engineering National Conference, 2013, pp. 457–466, doi: 10.1061/9780784412909.044.
[31] P. M. Bosch-Sijtsema, P. Gluch, and A. A. Sezer, “Professional development of the BIM actor role,” Autom. Constr., vol. 97, no. November 2018, pp. 44–51, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2018.10.024.
[32] D. Bryde, M. Broquetas, and J. M. Volm, “The project benefits of building information modelling (BIM),” Int. J. Proj. Manag., vol. 31, no. 7, pp. 971–980, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2012.12.001.
[33] F. Li, “The digital transformation of business models in the creative industries: A holistic framework and emerging trends,” Technovation, no. December, p. 102012, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.technovation.2017.12.004.
[34] Y. Y. Chang and M. Hughes, “Drivers of innovation ambidexterity in small- to medium-sized firms,” Eur. Manag. J., vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 1–17, 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2011.08.003.
[35] M. Loosemore, “Construction Innovation: Fifth Generation Perspective,” J. Manag. Eng., vol. 31, no. 6, p. 04015012, 2015, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000368.
[36] M. Sexton and P. Barrett, “The role of technology transfer in innovation within small construction firms,” Eng. Constr. Archit. Manag., vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 342–348, 2004, doi: 10.1108/09699980410558539.
[37] M. H. Abel, “Competencies management and learning organizational memory,” J. Knowl. Manag., vol. 12, no. 6, pp. 15–30, 2008, doi: 10.1108/13673270810913595.
[38] C. Liyanage, T. Elhag, T. Ballal, and Q. Li, “Knowledge communication and translation – a knowledge transfer model,” J. Knowl. Manag., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 118–131, 2009, doi: 10.1108/13673270910962914.
[39] P. Kushwaha and M. K. Rao, “Integrative role of KM infrastructure and KM strategy to enhance individual competence: Conceptualizing knowledge process enablement,” J. Inf. Knowl. Manag. Syst., vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 645–658, 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/VINE-02-2014-0014 Permanent.
[40] Z. Ding, S. Liu, L. Liao, and L. Zhang, “A digital construction framework integrating building information modeling and reverse engineering technologies for renovation projects,” Autom. Constr., vol. 102, no. December 2018, pp. 45–58, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2019.02.012.
[41] M. Bresnen, L. Edelman, S. Newell, H. Scarbrough, and J. Swan, “Exploring social capital in the construction firm,” Build. Res. Inf., vol. 33, pp. 235–244, 2005.
[42] S. Duffield and S. J. Whitty, “Developing a systemic lessons learned knowledge model for organisational learning through projects,” Int. J. Proj. Manag., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 311–324, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.07.004.
[43] D. Kokotsaki, V. Menzies, and A. Wiggins, “Project-based learning: A review of the literature,” Improv. Sch., vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 267–277, 2016, doi: 10.1177/1365480216659733.
[44] P. Udomdech, E. Papadonikolaki, and A. Davies, “An alternative project-based learning model for building information modelling-using teams,” in Proceeding of the 34th Annual ARCOM Conference, ARCOM 2018, 2018, pp. 57–66.
[45] L. Kim, “Crisis Construction and Organizational Learning: Capability Building in Catching-up at Hyundai Motor,” Organ. Sci., vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 506–521, 1998, doi: 10.1287/orsc.9.4.506.
[46] D. Zhao, M. Zuo, and X. (Nancy) Deng, “Examining the factors influencing cross-project knowledge transfer: An empirical study of IT services firms in China,” Int. J. Proj. Manag., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 325–340, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.05.003.
[47] The ASEAN Secretariat, “ASEAN | One Vision One Identity One Community,” asean.org, 2019. https://asean.org/ (accessed Jan. 26, 2020).
[48] Bureau of the Budget, “Thailand’s Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2018,” bb.go.th, 2017. http://www.bb.go.th/FILEROOM/CABBBIWEBFORM/DRAWER14/GENERAL/DATA0001/00001246.PDF (accessed Dec. 26, 2019).
[49] P. Pornthepkasemsant and S. Charoenpornpattana, “Identification of factors affecting productivity in Thailand’s construction industry and proposed maturity model for improvement of the productivity,” J. Eng. Des. Technol., vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 849–861, 2019, doi: 10.1108/JEDT-10-2017-0109.
[50] R. Stewart and T. Waroonkun, “Benchmarking construction technology transfer in Thailand Benchmarking technology transfer,” Constr. Innov., pp. 1–33, 2007, doi: https://doi.org/10/1108/14714170710754722.
[51] N. Toomwongsa, “Construction Contractor,” 2018.
[52] National Economic and Social Development Board, “The Eleventh National Economic and Social Development Plan,” 2014. doi: 10.4324/9780429502132-10.
[53] G. Ngowtanasawan, “A Causal Model of BIM Adoption in the Thai Architectural and Engineering Design Industry,” Procedia Eng., vol. 180, pp. 793–803, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.proeng.2017.04.240.
[54] P. Virulrak, “The Business of Building Information Modeling : Case Study of Thailand,” pp. 895–902, 2015.
[55] B. DiCicco-Bloom and B. F. Crabtree, “The qualitative research interview,” Qual. Res. Account. Manag., pp. 314–321, 2006, doi: 10.1108/11766091111162070.
[56] S. Q. Qu and J. Dumay, “The qualitative research interview,” Qual. Res. Account. Manag., vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 238–264, 2011, doi: 10.1108/11766091111162070.
[57] J. Saldaña, The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage, 2015.