Feasibility of Implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Palestinian Construction Sector: A Study of the Factors Leading to Successful Adoption رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a relatively, a newly adopted technology/software in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in the whole world. BIM virtually visualizes buildings, and all works/ stakeholders involved in the project. Engineers can continuously add layers of data into the model to modify/ improve it and avoid clashes in early stages of the project. Integrating such technology in the Palestinian market, efficiently and effectively, will add a competitive value to the adopters in the local and international markets. It was proven by many researchers that implementing such technology by the AEC industry will improve the quality of the final product and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of managing its projects. This can be realized due to the ability of BIM software technology to add cost and time data layers into the model and decrease the cost of the project by fixing potential clashes before they could happen at construction sites, as it provides potential benefits. In Palestine, this technology has been used in big projects by only a few numbers of the AEC industrial companies. Studies in the Palestinian context have explained the barriers of implementing this technology as: lack of interest by clients and other contracting parties, the cost of adopting new technologies, organizational culture that resists change and lack of knowledge of the technology. This study investigates the patterns of BIM adoption in the local market, focusing on, firstly, the empirical evidence of the significant factors that practically impact the adoption process, and secondly, providing a starting point of workflow change, thus helping the organization to plan its customized future strategies and goals. VI The researcher conducted a quantitative research approach. An electronic survey was distributed to 168 local engineering consultant offices. The collected data was analyzed by SMART-PLS software using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) technique. The results proved that the organizational factors ; top management support, organizational culture and the number of expert and technicians, directly affected the individual intention of BIM adoption. On the other hand, the environmental factors; national policies and requirements and competition within the industry, indirectly affected the individual intention of BIM adoption through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. These results emphasized the vital role of the top management in providing a supporting atmosphere to adopt new technologies. Moreover, the collaborative, flexible and inclusive organizational culture is the most suitable environment to encourage adopting new technologies.