Journal of Information Technology in Construction
Journal of Information Technology in Construction
ITcon Vol. 31, pg. 439-460, http://www.itcon.org/2026/20
A human-centered approach to reframing job satisfaction in the BIM-enabled construction industry
| DOI: | 10.36680/j.itcon.2026.020 | |
| submitted: | December 2025 | |
| published: | April 2026 | |
| editor(s): | Amor R | |
| authors: | Sharareh Mirzaei, Ph.D Candidate
Gerald May Dept. of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7709-4401 shmirzaei@unm.edu Stephanie Bunt, Assistant Professor School of Architecture and Planning, University of New Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6658-8802 sbunt@unm.edu Susan M Bogus, Professor Gerald May Dept. of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1685-6367 sbogus@unm.edu | |
| summary: | As the construction industry undergoes rapid digital transformation, ensuring that new technologies enhance rather than hinder human experience has become essential. Building Information Modeling (BIM) plays a central role in this shift, yet its influence on job satisfaction remains underexplored. In response, this study developed a human-centered measurement model for evaluating job satisfaction in BIM-enabled work environments by adapting Hackman and Oldham’s Job Characteristics Model (JCM) for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry to create a survey that captured industry perspectives on BIM use and job satisfaction. The model uses Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the survey results and identify which dimensions of BIM-related work affect job satisfaction. While it was hypothesized that BIM use increases job satisfaction, the results show that only some dimensions of BIM use positively impact BIM job satisfaction; the use of BIM alone does not guarantee an increase in overall job satisfaction. Additionally, more frequent BIM use was not directly associated with Overall-JS; however, it was positively associated with BIM-JS and had an indirect effect on Overall-JS through BIM-JS. These findings suggest that in the BIM-enabled workplace, Sustainable job satisfaction in BIM-enabled workplaces depends less on technological autonomy and more on collaboration, meaningful engagement, constructive feedback, and the reduction of workflow pain points. | |
| keywords: | building information modeling (BIM), job satisfaction, technology adoption, architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, human factors | |
| full text: | (PDF file, 0.831 MB) | |
| citation: | Mirzaei, S., Bunt, S., & Bogus, S. M. (2026). A human-centered approach to reframing job satisfaction in the BIM-enabled construction industry. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 31, 439-460. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2026.020 | |
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