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Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption amongst Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK construction industry has seen slow adoption rates in comparison with their larger competitors, largely due to a number of barriers such as cost, lack of knowledge and time constraints. Despite BIMs potential benefits in enhancing project efficiency and improving collaboration, SMEs often struggle to adopt BIM effectively. These difficulties are made worse by the absence of customised assistance which makes it more difficult for SMEs to take advantage of BIMs transformative potential. It is imperative to remove these barriers in order to empower SMEs and promote innovation within the construction industry.
The research approach involved developing and validating the SME BIM Framework (SMBF), a structured roadmap tailored to support SME UK contractors in their BIM adoption process. To validate this framework, a quantitative, anonymous survey was completed by 25 industry professionals, which assessed the validity of specific sections of the framework, measured the demand for a framework as well as assessing the perceptions of BIM and its adoption. Quantitative analysis was employed to interpret the survey data, and make comparisons to data gathered in the literature review. This approach proved demand for a framework as well as validation for the SMBF, as well as providing empirical insights into the BIM adoption dynamics among SME UK contractors.
The findings of this study reveal a recognition of BIM’s importance among SME UK contractors, with the majority of respondents recognising its potential benefits. However, a discrepancy exists between perceived significance and current operational levels of BIM adoption. The validation of the SMBF underscores its effectiveness in supporting SMEs to overcome the barriers they face through the use of research proven methods and the provision of industry facts and data. Despite limitations in the research sample size and methodology, the research provides valuable insights into the drivers and barriers faced in BIM adoption, along with practical solutions to these barriers and also recommendations for future research and framework development.

Course: Quantity Surveying - BSc (Hons) - C0150

Date Deposited: 2024-08-08

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14443.html