Predicting behavioural resistance to BIM implementation in construction projects: an empirical study integrating technology acceptance model and equity theory
Abstract
Despite its great potential to streamline design and construction processes, the implementation of building information modelling (BIM) in many projects has failed to achieve expected benefits due to user resistance. Grounded in the technology acceptance model and equity theory, this study proposes a model of factors predicting resistance behaviours to BIM implementation during the post-adoption stage in construction projects. The model is tested with partial least squares modelling on survey data collected from design engineers in BIM-based construction projects in China. The empirical results provide evidence that after controlling for related individual, organizational and project characteristics, efficiency and equity perceptions play prominent but independent roles in determining behavioural resistance to BIM implementation, and that these perceptions are differently associated with contextual factors at individual, team and project levels. Apart from the independent contextual factors conceptualized in the model, control factors such as individual age and organization nature are also found to be significantly associated with resistance behaviours. As an exploratory effort to examine resistance behaviours to BIM implementation in construction projects, this study contributes to deepened understandings of the complexity of innovation resistance behaviours in the context of construction projects and offer suggestions for how to manage such behaviours.
Keyword : building information modelling (BIM), resistance behaviours, technology acceptance model, equity theory, construction projects, partial least squares modelling
How to Cite
Wang, G., Wang, P., Cao, D. ., & Luo, X. (2020). Predicting behavioural resistance to BIM implementation in construction projects: an empirical study integrating technology acceptance model and equity theory. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 26(7), 651-665. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2020.12325
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Adams, J. S. (1965). Inequity in social exchange. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (pp. 267– 299). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60108-2
Agarwal, R., & Prasad, J. (1998). A conceptual and operational definition of personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology. Information Systems Research, 9(2), 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.9.2.204
Ali, M., Zhou, L., Miller, L., & Ieromonachou, P. (2016). User resistance in IT: A literature review. International Journal of Information Management, 36(1), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2015.09.007
Bandura, A. (1995). Exercise of personal and collective efficacy in changing societies. In A. Bandura (Ed.), Self-efficacy in changing societies (pp. 1–45). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511527692
Bernstein, H. M. (2015). The business value of BIM in China. Dodge Data and Analytics.
Cao, D., Li, H., & Wang, G. (2014). Impacts of isomorphic pressures on BIM adoption in construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(12), 04014056. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000903
Cao, D., Wang, G., Li, H., Skitmore, M., Huang, T., & Zhang, W. (2015). Practices and effectiveness of building information modelling in construction projects in China. Automation in Construction, 49, 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.014
Cao, D., Li, H., Wang, G., & Huang, T. (2017a). Identifying and contextualising the motivations for BIM implementation in construction projects: An empirical study in China. International Journal of Project Management, 35(4), 658–669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.02.002
Cao, D., Li, H., Wang, G., Luo, X., Yang, X., & Tan, D. (2017b). Dynamics of project-based collaborative networks for BIM implementation: Analysis based on stochastic actor-oriented models. Journal of Management in Engineering, 33(3), 04016055. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000503
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Dossick, C. S., & Neff, G. (2010). Organisational divisions in BIM-enabled commercial construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(4), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000109
Eadie, R., Browne, M., Odeyinka, H., McKeown, C., & McNiff, S. (2013). BIM implementation throughout the UK construction project lifecycle: An analysis. Automation in Construction, 36, 145–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.09.001
Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2011). BIM handbook: A guide to Building Information Modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors (2nd ed.). John Wiley and Sons.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532–550. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4308385
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention and behavior: An introduction to theory and research. Addison-Wesley.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
Fornell, C., & Bookstein, F. L. (1982). Two structural equation models: LISREL and PLS applied to consumer exit-voice theory. Journal of Marketing Research, 19(4), 440–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378201900406
Giel, B. K., & Issa, R. R. A. (2013). Return on investment analysis of using building information modeling in construction. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 27(5), 511–521. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000164
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Hair, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C. M., & Mena, J. A. (2012). An assessment of the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling in marketing research. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 40(3), 414–433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-011-0261-6
Hartmann, T., Gao, J., & Fischer, M. (2008). Areas of application for 3D and 4D models on construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 134(10), 776–785. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2008)134:10(776)
Hedgren, E., & Stehn, L. (2014). The impact of clients’ decisionmaking on their adoption of industrialized building. Construction Management and Economics, 32(1–2), 126–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2013.833340
Jin, R., Hancock, C., Tang, L., Chen, C., Wanatowski, D., & Yang, L. (2017). Empirical study of BIM implementation-based perceptions among Chinese practitioners. Journal of Management in Engineering, 33(5), 04017025. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000538
Joshi, K. (1989). The measurement of fairness or equity perceptions of management information systems users. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 343–358. https://doi.org/10.2307/249010
Joshi, K. (1990). An investigation of equity as a determinant of user information satisfaction. Decision Sciences, 21(4), 786–807. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1990.tb01250.x
Juan, Y. K., Lai, W. Y., & Shih, S. G. (2017). Building information modeling acceptance and readiness assessment in Taiwanese architectural firms. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 23(3), 356–367. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2015.1128480
Kim, H. W., & Kankanhalli, A. (2009). Investigating user resistance to information systems implementation: A status quo bias perspective. MIS Quarterly, 33(3), 567–582. https://doi.org/10.2307/20650309
Lewis, W., Agarwal, R., & Sambamurthy, V. (2003). Sources of influence on beliefs about information technology use: An empirical study of knowledge workers. MIS Quarterly, 27(4), 657–678. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036552
Liu, D., Lu, W., & Niu, Y. (2018). Extended technology-acceptance model to make smart construction systems successful. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(6), 04018035. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001487
Mitropoulos, P., & Tatum, C. B. (1999). Technology adoption decisions in construction organisations. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 125(5), 330–338. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1999)125:5(330)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). Building information modeling for airports. The National Academies Press.
National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2019). China statistical yearbook 2019. China Statistics Press (in Chinese).
Oraee, M., Hosseini, M. R., Papadonikolaki, E., Palliyaguru, R., & Arashpour, M. (2017). Collaboration in BIM-based construction networks: A bibliometric-qualitative literature review. International Journal of Project Management, 35(7), 1288–1301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.07.001
Oreg, S., Bartunek, J. M., Lee, G., & Do, B. (2018). An affectbased model of recipients’ responses to organisational change events. Academy of Management Review, 43(1), 65–86. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2014.0335
Orlikowski, W. J., & Baroudi, J. J. (1991). Studying information technology in organizations: Research approaches and assumptions. Information Systems Research, 2(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2.1.1
Piderit, S. K. (2000). Rethinking resistance and recognizing ambivalence: A multidimensional view of attitudes toward an organisational change. Academy of Management Review, 25(4), 783–794. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2000.3707722
Podsakoff, P.M., & Organ, D.W. (1986). Self-reports in organizational research: problems and prospects. Journal of Management, 12 (4), 531–544. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920638601200408
Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). Free Press.
Samuelson, O., & Björk, B. C. (2013). Adoption processes for EDM, EDI and BIM technologies in the construction industry. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 19(supplement 1), 172–187. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2013.801888
Samuelson, O., & Björk, B. C. (2014). A longitudinal study of the adoption of IT technology in the Swedish building sector. Automation in Construction, 37, 182–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.10.006
Slaughter, E. S. (1998). Models of construction innovation. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 124(3), 226–231. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1998)124:3(226)
Son, H., Lee, S., & Kim, C. (2015). What drives the adoption of building information modeling in design organizations?. Automation in Construction, 49, 92–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.012
Taylor, J. (2007). Antecedents of successful three-dimensional computer-aided design implementation in design and construction networks. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 133(12), 993–1002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2007)133:12(993)
Venkatesh, V. (2000). Determinants of perceived ease of use: Integrating control, intrinsic motivation, and emotion into the technology acceptance model. Information Systems Research, 11(4), 342–365. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.11.4.342.11872
Venkatesh, V., & Davis, F. D. (2000). A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: Four longitudinal field studies. Management Science, 46(2), 186–204. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.46.2.186.11926
Walster, R., Walster, G., & Berschied, E. (1978). Equity: theory and research. Allyn and Bacon.
Winch, G. M. (2010). Managing construction projects: An information processing approach (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Agarwal, R., & Prasad, J. (1998). A conceptual and operational definition of personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology. Information Systems Research, 9(2), 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.9.2.204
Ali, M., Zhou, L., Miller, L., & Ieromonachou, P. (2016). User resistance in IT: A literature review. International Journal of Information Management, 36(1), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2015.09.007
Bandura, A. (1995). Exercise of personal and collective efficacy in changing societies. In A. Bandura (Ed.), Self-efficacy in changing societies (pp. 1–45). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511527692
Bernstein, H. M. (2015). The business value of BIM in China. Dodge Data and Analytics.
Cao, D., Li, H., & Wang, G. (2014). Impacts of isomorphic pressures on BIM adoption in construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(12), 04014056. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000903
Cao, D., Wang, G., Li, H., Skitmore, M., Huang, T., & Zhang, W. (2015). Practices and effectiveness of building information modelling in construction projects in China. Automation in Construction, 49, 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.014
Cao, D., Li, H., Wang, G., & Huang, T. (2017a). Identifying and contextualising the motivations for BIM implementation in construction projects: An empirical study in China. International Journal of Project Management, 35(4), 658–669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.02.002
Cao, D., Li, H., Wang, G., Luo, X., Yang, X., & Tan, D. (2017b). Dynamics of project-based collaborative networks for BIM implementation: Analysis based on stochastic actor-oriented models. Journal of Management in Engineering, 33(3), 04016055. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000503
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Dossick, C. S., & Neff, G. (2010). Organisational divisions in BIM-enabled commercial construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(4), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000109
Eadie, R., Browne, M., Odeyinka, H., McKeown, C., & McNiff, S. (2013). BIM implementation throughout the UK construction project lifecycle: An analysis. Automation in Construction, 36, 145–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.09.001
Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2011). BIM handbook: A guide to Building Information Modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors (2nd ed.). John Wiley and Sons.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532–550. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4308385
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention and behavior: An introduction to theory and research. Addison-Wesley.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
Fornell, C., & Bookstein, F. L. (1982). Two structural equation models: LISREL and PLS applied to consumer exit-voice theory. Journal of Marketing Research, 19(4), 440–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378201900406
Giel, B. K., & Issa, R. R. A. (2013). Return on investment analysis of using building information modeling in construction. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 27(5), 511–521. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000164
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Hair, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C. M., & Mena, J. A. (2012). An assessment of the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling in marketing research. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 40(3), 414–433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-011-0261-6
Hartmann, T., Gao, J., & Fischer, M. (2008). Areas of application for 3D and 4D models on construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 134(10), 776–785. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2008)134:10(776)
Hedgren, E., & Stehn, L. (2014). The impact of clients’ decisionmaking on their adoption of industrialized building. Construction Management and Economics, 32(1–2), 126–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2013.833340
Jin, R., Hancock, C., Tang, L., Chen, C., Wanatowski, D., & Yang, L. (2017). Empirical study of BIM implementation-based perceptions among Chinese practitioners. Journal of Management in Engineering, 33(5), 04017025. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000538
Joshi, K. (1989). The measurement of fairness or equity perceptions of management information systems users. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 343–358. https://doi.org/10.2307/249010
Joshi, K. (1990). An investigation of equity as a determinant of user information satisfaction. Decision Sciences, 21(4), 786–807. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1990.tb01250.x
Juan, Y. K., Lai, W. Y., & Shih, S. G. (2017). Building information modeling acceptance and readiness assessment in Taiwanese architectural firms. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 23(3), 356–367. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2015.1128480
Kim, H. W., & Kankanhalli, A. (2009). Investigating user resistance to information systems implementation: A status quo bias perspective. MIS Quarterly, 33(3), 567–582. https://doi.org/10.2307/20650309
Lewis, W., Agarwal, R., & Sambamurthy, V. (2003). Sources of influence on beliefs about information technology use: An empirical study of knowledge workers. MIS Quarterly, 27(4), 657–678. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036552
Liu, D., Lu, W., & Niu, Y. (2018). Extended technology-acceptance model to make smart construction systems successful. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(6), 04018035. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001487
Mitropoulos, P., & Tatum, C. B. (1999). Technology adoption decisions in construction organisations. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 125(5), 330–338. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1999)125:5(330)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). Building information modeling for airports. The National Academies Press.
National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2019). China statistical yearbook 2019. China Statistics Press (in Chinese).
Oraee, M., Hosseini, M. R., Papadonikolaki, E., Palliyaguru, R., & Arashpour, M. (2017). Collaboration in BIM-based construction networks: A bibliometric-qualitative literature review. International Journal of Project Management, 35(7), 1288–1301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.07.001
Oreg, S., Bartunek, J. M., Lee, G., & Do, B. (2018). An affectbased model of recipients’ responses to organisational change events. Academy of Management Review, 43(1), 65–86. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2014.0335
Orlikowski, W. J., & Baroudi, J. J. (1991). Studying information technology in organizations: Research approaches and assumptions. Information Systems Research, 2(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2.1.1
Piderit, S. K. (2000). Rethinking resistance and recognizing ambivalence: A multidimensional view of attitudes toward an organisational change. Academy of Management Review, 25(4), 783–794. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2000.3707722
Podsakoff, P.M., & Organ, D.W. (1986). Self-reports in organizational research: problems and prospects. Journal of Management, 12 (4), 531–544. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920638601200408
Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). Free Press.
Samuelson, O., & Björk, B. C. (2013). Adoption processes for EDM, EDI and BIM technologies in the construction industry. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 19(supplement 1), 172–187. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2013.801888
Samuelson, O., & Björk, B. C. (2014). A longitudinal study of the adoption of IT technology in the Swedish building sector. Automation in Construction, 37, 182–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.10.006
Slaughter, E. S. (1998). Models of construction innovation. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 124(3), 226–231. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1998)124:3(226)
Son, H., Lee, S., & Kim, C. (2015). What drives the adoption of building information modeling in design organizations?. Automation in Construction, 49, 92–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.012
Taylor, J. (2007). Antecedents of successful three-dimensional computer-aided design implementation in design and construction networks. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 133(12), 993–1002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2007)133:12(993)
Venkatesh, V. (2000). Determinants of perceived ease of use: Integrating control, intrinsic motivation, and emotion into the technology acceptance model. Information Systems Research, 11(4), 342–365. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.11.4.342.11872
Venkatesh, V., & Davis, F. D. (2000). A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: Four longitudinal field studies. Management Science, 46(2), 186–204. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.46.2.186.11926
Walster, R., Walster, G., & Berschied, E. (1978). Equity: theory and research. Allyn and Bacon.
Winch, G. M. (2010). Managing construction projects: An information processing approach (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.