ITcon Vol. 21, pg. 86-99, http://www.itcon.org/2016/6

Culture change in construction industry: from 2D toward BIM based construction

submitted:March 2016
revised:May 2016
published:June 2016
editor(s):Amor R.
authors:Nenad Čuš Babič, Assistant Professor,
University of Maribor,
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, Maribor, Slovenia nenad.babic@um.si

Danijel Rebolj, Professor,
University of Maribor,
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, Maribor, Slovenia
summary:Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become accepted as an approach that should deliver substantial gains to all the stakeholders within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. Recently, several researchers have pointed out the need for cultural changes as a necessary step for radically transforming the industry. In order to provide answers to these requests, the culture should be described in a more explicit way, and industry issues interpreted correctly. This paper via qualitative research of variety of sources explores the stability and persistence of a traditional 2D paper-based approach in the light of Institutional theory. The paper illustrates how the traditional approach is embedded within AEC culture by considering the regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive aspects. These aspects support each other, thus providing even more stability and support for the existing values and ways of working. The aim of this work is to provide some insight into reasons for slower penetration of the BIM based construction. The paper also explains the local character of the industry, which slows down transference of best practices within the AEC industry. Understanding of existing patterns reveals new insights into how to make the transition easier and more functional, especially within the contexts of existing priorities and values.
keywords:building information modelling, institutional theory, 2D paper based working, work practices in construction
full text: (PDF file, 0.323 MB)
citation:Čuš Babič N, Rebolj D (2016). Culture change in construction industry: from 2D toward BIM based construction, ITcon Vol. 21, pg. 86-99, https://www.itcon.org/2016/6