Exploring BIM implementation: A case study in Hong Kong

Building Information Modelling (BIM) was introduced to the Hong Kong construction industry as a technology-oriented process innovation in the past few years. Improved functionalities and interoperability of software provide a collaborative platform for all stakeholders that will alleviate the fragmentation in the construction industry. However, the high expectations from BIM led to dissatisfaction by users, the nature of the fragmentation itself turns out to be one of the factors inhibiting further successful implementation of BIM. In this paper, we present a case study that explores current BIM implementation performance in the Hong Kong construction industry. More specifically, we explore whether BIM implementation in Hong Kong is changing the old roles, relationships and working practice paradigms of stakeholders by providing a collaborative working environment on construction sites. Data were collected from ethnographic participant observation and one-on-one interviews within a social network perspective. The evidence shows that visualization tools are powerful facilitators of effective communication across project teams at the technical level. However, the communication techniques themselves in the construction process add little value to the improvement of co-ordination and cohesion in the building team, but the patterns of relationships and responsibilities within project teams have significant influence on the way communication takes place. Due to both team members’ reluctance to change and power conflicts during collaboration, human agents mediate the positive influence of BIM on project collaboration to some extent.