IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION ON BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM) ADOPTION IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The use of technology in the Nigerian construction industry has continued to draw the interest of researchers particularly in the area of Building Information Modelling (BIM). Despite the level of awareness of the technology, the implementation of BIM for construction projects is lagging. As a result, this study aims to assess the construction professionals' behavioural intention on BIM adoption in Nigeria from the perspective of the Unified theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model with the view to understanding the variables that influence BIM adoption in Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative research approach which include the use of a questionnaire. The population of the study include construction professionals registered with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which is 4,195. The Kothari sample size formula was applied to calculate the sample size of the study (352 professionals). The questionnaire was then served to the professionals in the population randomly and a total of 156 questionnaires representing a 44% response rate were retrieved. The data collected was analyzed using mean score (MS), factor analysis and Partial least-squared structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Mean score was used to rank the critical success factors of the intention to use BIM and UTAUT constructs while factor analysis was used to classify the twenty-eight (28) critical success factors identified from the literature into four groups (Organizational-related Factors, Process-related Factors, Customer-related Factors, and Educational Factors). PLS-SEM was used to test the study nine (9) hypotheses. The study revealed the top five critical success factors to include; Training and learning (MS = 4.12; SD = 0.96; p < 0.05), Functionality (MS = 4.11; SD = 1.08; p < 0.05), 3D visualization, data sharing and BIM platform access (MS = 4.11; SD = 0.80; p < 0.05), Ease of use and adoption (MS = 4.11; SD = 0.77; p < 0.05), and Standardization (product and process) (MS = 4.06; SD = 0.80; p < 0.05). Out of the nine hypotheses, only five (H1, H6, H7, H8, and H9) were found to be significant while the rest (H2, H3, H4, and H5) were insignificant. The PLS-SEM analysis revealed that the constructs predict the dependent constructs substantially; Actual Use of BIM (R2 = 62.8%), BIM Adoption (R2 = 73.1%), and Intention to Use BIM (R2 = 60.1%). This shows that the constructs in the research model have a huge impact on BIM adoption which is the main dependent construct. The study therefore concluded that the poor link between performance expectancy and BIM adoption suggested that professionals in the construction industry are yet to maximize the inherent benefits of BIM. Therefore, the study recommended the government collaborates with stakeholders toformulate appropriate policies and standards to embrace BIM adoption. This study would also serve as a theoretical foundation for future studies and as well assist construction industry stakeholders to develop appropriate policies to improve BIM adoption in Nigeria