Challenges of Technological Implementation: An evaluative study of the BIM implementation process in a construction consultancy firm
(2015) MGTN59 20151Department of Business Administration
- Abstract
- As a mean of tackling the harsher business environment of today has use of various enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS) increased. It, thus, felt self-evident to focus on what implementation of such new technology would mean and involve both for a whole organization as well as its employees. The construction industry has a long history of and is characterized with project-based work and yet has voices from the industry spoken about the difficulties implementing such a business-appropriate ERPS as BIM into organizations. The purpose of this research study was hence to gain further insights into why implementation of BIM technology was not as effectively diffused and successfully implemented as hoped, given the specific circumstances... (More)
- As a mean of tackling the harsher business environment of today has use of various enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS) increased. It, thus, felt self-evident to focus on what implementation of such new technology would mean and involve both for a whole organization as well as its employees. The construction industry has a long history of and is characterized with project-based work and yet has voices from the industry spoken about the difficulties implementing such a business-appropriate ERPS as BIM into organizations. The purpose of this research study was hence to gain further insights into why implementation of BIM technology was not as effectively diffused and successfully implemented as hoped, given the specific circumstances of prior project work experience in the construction industry of today. The research question was meant to identify the challenges of the BIM implementation process.
This research study was considered a case study in which an inductive, interpretative, qualitative research approach seemed most suitable. An internationally renowned construction consultancy company was approached and professionals of civil engineering background given the opportunity to participate in semi-structured phone interviews, which were recorded, transcribed and sorted according to relevant and recurring themes. A literature review of relevant theories connected to topics such as organizational development, change management, business process reengineering, and technological diffusion was conducted prior to this in order for theoretical framework to give possible explanations to the results of this study.
As a result of this study were the challenges identified as unfamiliarity with the technological system, partial or little user adoption amongst professionals of the organization for various reasons, difficulties with reengineering business processes and technological software-related issues. Possible reasons to this seemed to be inconsistencies in directions and support given by top management. With an encompassing corporate strategy of BIM implementation throughout the organization but with weak support for various departments, units and professional roles did the process subsequently comprise confusion and opposition resulting in a slow-paced implementation process. Possible corporate improvements suggested by the researcher were increased number of professionals training and development of a corporate-specific platform in which BIM- and corporate-related information would be shared organization-wide. Looking over corporate structure and addressing different managers to be in charge for the development of the implementation process was another improvement suggestion. It would lastly be of interest for future researchers to make comparative studies of technological implementation processes with multiple industries in order to learn more. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8599266
- author
- Schedvin, Josefine LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MGTN59 20151
- year
- 2015
- type
- H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
- subject
- keywords
- Organizational change, Technological implementation, Enterprise resource planning system (ERPS), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Technological diffusion
- language
- English
- id
- 8599266
- date added to LUP
- 2016-02-16 15:54:47
- date last changed
- 2016-02-16 15:54:47
@misc{8599266,
abstract = {{As a mean of tackling the harsher business environment of today has use of various enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS) increased. It, thus, felt self-evident to focus on what implementation of such new technology would mean and involve both for a whole organization as well as its employees. The construction industry has a long history of and is characterized with project-based work and yet has voices from the industry spoken about the difficulties implementing such a business-appropriate ERPS as BIM into organizations. The purpose of this research study was hence to gain further insights into why implementation of BIM technology was not as effectively diffused and successfully implemented as hoped, given the specific circumstances of prior project work experience in the construction industry of today. The research question was meant to identify the challenges of the BIM implementation process.
This research study was considered a case study in which an inductive, interpretative, qualitative research approach seemed most suitable. An internationally renowned construction consultancy company was approached and professionals of civil engineering background given the opportunity to participate in semi-structured phone interviews, which were recorded, transcribed and sorted according to relevant and recurring themes. A literature review of relevant theories connected to topics such as organizational development, change management, business process reengineering, and technological diffusion was conducted prior to this in order for theoretical framework to give possible explanations to the results of this study.
As a result of this study were the challenges identified as unfamiliarity with the technological system, partial or little user adoption amongst professionals of the organization for various reasons, difficulties with reengineering business processes and technological software-related issues. Possible reasons to this seemed to be inconsistencies in directions and support given by top management. With an encompassing corporate strategy of BIM implementation throughout the organization but with weak support for various departments, units and professional roles did the process subsequently comprise confusion and opposition resulting in a slow-paced implementation process. Possible corporate improvements suggested by the researcher were increased number of professionals training and development of a corporate-specific platform in which BIM- and corporate-related information would be shared organization-wide. Looking over corporate structure and addressing different managers to be in charge for the development of the implementation process was another improvement suggestion. It would lastly be of interest for future researchers to make comparative studies of technological implementation processes with multiple industries in order to learn more.}},
author = {{Schedvin, Josefine}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Challenges of Technological Implementation: An evaluative study of the BIM implementation process in a construction consultancy firm}},
year = {{2015}},
}