Spanning the multilevel boundaries of construction organisations: Towards the delivery of BIM-compliant projects

Article


Sackey, E. and Akotia, J. 2017. Spanning the multilevel boundaries of construction organisations: Towards the delivery of BIM-compliant projects. Construction Innovation. 17 (3), pp. 273-293. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-09-2016-0047
AuthorsSackey, E. and Akotia, J.
Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the interdependent boundary-spanning activities that characterise the level of permeability of knowledge, information flow and learning among construction supply chains involved in the delivery of building information modelling (BIM)-compliant construction projects. Construction projects are mobilised through a number of interdependent processes and multi-functional activities by different practitioners with myriad specialised skills. Many of the difficulties that manifest in construction projects can be attributed to the fragmented work activities and inter-disciplinary nature of project teams. This is nevertheless becoming ever more pertinent with the rise of technology deployment in construction organisations.
Design/methodology/approach

The study combined experts’ sampling interviews and a case study research method to help offer better insights into the kind of emerging multilevel boundary practices as influenced by the rapidly evolving construction technological solutions. The experts’ sampling helped inform better understanding by unravelling the key changes in contemporary boundary configurations and related boundary-spanning practices within technology-mediated construction project settings. The case study also helped to establish the manifestation of best practices for managing multilevel boundaries in BIM-enabled construction project organisations.
Findings

The study has revealed that different generic organisational BIM strategies as developed in specialised boundaries are reconfigured as appropriate at the project level to produce project-specific BIM execution plan (BXP). The outcome of project BXP is dependent on the project organisational teams that cooperate in creating new solutions and on conceding space for negotiations and compromises which conflicting interests at the project level can find to be both desirable and feasible. The implementation effort is therefore contingent on mutual translation in which different actors with different insights instigate their practice through negotiation and persuasion which eventually are reinforced by contractual agreements and obligations.
Originality/value

The paper has presented a novel and well-timed empirical insight into BIM-enabled project delivery and best practices that span multilevel boundaries of construction organisations.

JournalConstruction Innovation
Journal citation17 (3), pp. 273-293
ISSN1471-4175
Year2017
PublisherEmerald
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-09-2016-0047
Web address (URL)https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-09-2016-0047
Publication dates
Online10 Jul 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited11 Jul 2019
Accepted11 Mar 2017
Copyright holder© 2017 Emerald Publishing Limited.
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/86wz4

Download files


Accepted author manuscript
Construction Innovation - Manuscript.pdf
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 163
    total views
  • 333
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Facilitating Successful Smart Campus Transitions: A Systems Thinking-SWOT Analysis Approach
Awuzie, B., Ngowi, A.B., Omotayo, T., Obi, L. and Akotia, J. 2021. Facilitating Successful Smart Campus Transitions: A Systems Thinking-SWOT Analysis Approach. Applied Sciences. 11 (Art. 2044). https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052044
The role of built environment practitioners in driving the socio-economic sustainability aspects of sustainable regeneration
Akotia, J., Manu, E., Opoku, A. and Sackey, E. 2020. The role of built environment practitioners in driving the socio-economic sustainability aspects of sustainable regeneration. Construction Economics and Building. 20 (2), pp. 89-108. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v20i2.7145
Special issue: urban regeneration for sustainable development
Opoku, A. and Akotia, J. 2020. Special issue: urban regeneration for sustainable development. Construction Economics and Building. 20 (2), pp. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v20i2.7191
Sustainable regeneration project delivery in UK: A qualitative analysis of practitioners’ engagement
Akotia, J. and Opoku, A. 2018. Sustainable regeneration project delivery in UK: A qualitative analysis of practitioners’ engagement. Journal of Facilities Management. 16 (1), pp. 87-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFM-05-2017-0024
Understanding socio-economic sustainability drivers of sustainable regeneration: an empirical study of regeneration practitioners in UK
Akotia, J. and Sackey, E. 2018. Understanding socio-economic sustainability drivers of sustainable regeneration: an empirical study of regeneration practitioners in UK. European Planning Studies. 26 (10), pp. 2078-2098. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2018.1511685
Exploring the knowledge ‘base’ of practitioners in the delivery of sustainable regeneration projects
Akotia, J., Opoku, Alex, Egbu, Charles and Fortune, Chris 2016. Exploring the knowledge ‘base’ of practitioners in the delivery of sustainable regeneration projects. Construction Economics and Building. 16 (2), pp. 14-26. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v16i2.4892
The extent of practitioners' involvement in the delivery of sustainable urban regeneration projects in UK
Akotia, J., Opoku, A. and Hafiz, F. 2017. The extent of practitioners' involvement in the delivery of sustainable urban regeneration projects in UK. European Journal of Sustainable Development. 6 (2), pp. 147-164. https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2017.v6n2p147
Towards the delivery of sustainable regeneration projects’ types in the UK: an exploration of the role and level of involvement of key practitioners
Akotia, J. and Sackey, E. 2017. Towards the delivery of sustainable regeneration projects’ types in the UK: an exploration of the role and level of involvement of key practitioners. International Journal of Construction Management. 18 (5), pp. 375-384. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2017.1326300